Great River Energy v. David D. Swedzinski

OPINION

GILDEA, Chief Justice.

The question presented in this case is whether the district court, when approving a landowner’s election to require a public utility to condemn a parcel of property in fee under Minn.Stat. § 216E.12, subd. 4 (2014) (“Buy-the-Farm statute”), must consider factors other than those identified in the statute. Respondents Dale and Janet Tauer made such an election after appellants, Great River Energy and several other public utilities, sought to condemn an 8.86-acre easement across their property. The public utilities challenged the election, arguing that the district…