U.S. Supreme Court to consider North Dakota property rights dispute Monday

REUTERS file photo By Michael McGurran November 06, 2026 at 6:40 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — A property rights dispute out of western North Dakota is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 9. The case involves ranchers in McKenzie County, near Watford City, and a natural gas pipeline company. ADVERTISEMENT The dispute centers on a simple question: When a pipeline company takes private property, who pays the landowners' legal fees? WBI Energy used eminent domain to acquire property for a natural gas pipeline in McKenzie County, in the Watford City area. Eminent domain is the legal power to take private property for public use, as long as the owner is compensated. The company and landowners reached an agreement on the value of the property, but they disagreed over who should pay the landowners' attorneys' fees. READ MORE BY MICHAEL MCGURRAN New technology helps doctors reach hard-to-access lung areas 1d ago North Dakota resists national 'blue wave' 1d ago Horace voters shorten fireworks season to 3 days 2d ago The ranchers argue North Dakota law should apply, which can require those fees to be covered. WBI Energy argues federal compensation rules apply, which generally don't require that. A federal appeals court sided with WBI Energy. ADVERTISEMENT Now the Supreme Court will decide which compensation rules apply when private pipeline companies use federal eminent domain powers. Oral arguments will be heard Monday morning. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags CRIME AND COURTS PIPELINES U.S. SUPREME COURT By Michael McGurran Mike McGurran has been a reporter and anchor at WDAY-TV since 2021. Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next North Dakota Fedorchak to continue connecting with North Dakotans in second term 4h ago · By Jordan Rusche North Dakota Is agriculture ‘losing its voice’ in North Dakota's Legislature? Some are concerned 6h ago · By Pamela Knudson North Dakota A growing number of North Dakota students 'waiting for a teacher' 7h ago · By Robin Huebner ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Moorhead How will vacant Moorhead City Council, Moorhead School Board seats be filled? 6h ago · By Ingrid Harbo North Dakota Driver charged in fatal Cass County crash settles Grand Forks cases 18h ago · By Matt Henson Business Sisters developing Kindro app to help users find their chosen family 6h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Lifestyle What if this winter’s forecast holds true? 5h ago · By Don Kinzler