BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota and the developer of the Dakota Access oil pipeline settled a lawsuit over the Texas company’s ownership of ranchland in the Plains state where corporations aren’t allowed in the farming industry. The deal awaiting a judge’s approval involves a business structure that technically keeps the land tied to Energy Transfer Partners. A Depression-era law in North Dakota prohibits large corporations from owning agricultural land in order to protect the state’s family farming heritage, with certain exceptions. ETP denied violating the law and said it planned to transfer ownership of the land once the pipeline work was done. When the deadline passed and ETP still owned the property, Stenehjem sued , asking the court to fine ETP at least $25,000.

Source: National Post April 18, 2019 19:30 UTC