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Domina Law Group, an Omaha-based trial lawyer firm, is considering a lawsuit against TransCanada over its use of eminent domain to secure a route for the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska.

In a news release, Domina asks:

“TransCanada’s threat to use eminent domain under the authority of a Nebraska statute permitting pipeline companies to do so with no checks on their authority is a real concern. Does this mean any foreign company from any nation can announce a pipeline project and condemn Nebraska land even if the company serves the interests of a nation out of favor with our own?”

It’s a question that’s come up before, creating an interesting political alliance between environmental groups and political conservatives.

However, as SolveClimate News reported in March, a special legal status may make the pipeline immune to such lawsuits.

h/t Politico’s Morning Energy

Ken Paulman

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.