NEBRASKA- Opponents of the now-scuttled Keystone XL pipeline hailed an agreement between a Canadian company and Nebraska landowners to terminate the company’s efforts to condemn their land.

On Monday, a Madison County District Court judge accepted an agreement between TC Energy Corp. and the Johnson and Herrick families to rescind condemnation proceedings.

In June, TC Energy Corp., formerly TransCanada, said it was ending its decades-long effort to build a crude oil pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska. From there, the pipeline would have connected to a system reaching the Gulf Coast.

The company announced its decision after President Joe Biden in January revoked a necessary permit.

Jane Kleeb, founder of Bold Nebraska, credited the work of everyday Nebraskans with stopping the pipeline.

“Land justice happened only because of the hard work of citizens, grassroots organizing, and a legal team who believed the land was worth protecting,” she said.

Mark Hefflinger, also with Bold Nebraska, said about 60 landowners were in a situation similar to the Herrick and Johnson families. He said pipeline opponents hope that TC Energy will reach similar agreements with the other families.

Additionally, pipeline opponents want to see easements granted to TC Energy be revoked so that they can’t be transferred to another company.

TC Energy declined to comment on how it would handle additional terminations of condemnation proceedings or any cancellation of voluntary easements.

“It would be inappropriate to speak to matters before the courts,” the company said in a written statement. It did note that the project has been canceled.

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