YANKTON, S.D. (AP) A lawyer for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission says a Canadian company has the legal right to condemn land for a crude-oil pipeline through the eastern part of the state.

While some landowners already have agreed to easements with TransCanada, others are not budging.

Public Utilities Commission lawyer John Smith says state law gives condemnation rights to common carriers.

Pipelines that move commodities for hire are defined in state law as common carriers.

TransCanada wants to slice through the eastern end of South Dakota with a pipeline that'll carry crude oil from Canada to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma.

(Thanks WNAX, Yankton) (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-28-07 0712CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list