¶1specially concurring:
¶2I concur with the opinion of the court, which provides an excellent analysis of this case.
¶3However, I specially concur because I also believe that Judge Slater’s special concurrence makes an important point that cannot be overstated. Long-standing Illinois precedent permits intervening landowners to present evidence challenging the need for the pipeline during the condemnation proceedings, regardless of whether they had participated in the prior certification process. See Limits Industrial R.R. Co. v. American Spiral Pipe Works, 321 Ill. 101, 151 N.E.2d 567 (1926); Illinois Power Co. v. Lynn, 50 Ill. App. 3d 77, 365 N.E.2d 264 (1977). This opportunity for landowners whose properties are threatened by eminent domain actions to play a meaningful role provides critical protection for their ownership rights.