LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s highest court has tossed a lawsuit challenging a proposed route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

The decision released Friday by the state Supreme Court upholds a 2012 state law that allowed the governor to empower Canada-based TransCanada to force eastern Nebraska landowners to sell their property for the project.

Four judges on the seven-judge court agreed that the landowners had legal standing to bring their case. But because the case raised a constitutional question, a super-majority of five judges was needed.

President Barack Obama has said he was waiting for the Nebraska ruling before making major decisions for the pipeline, which would carry more than 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Canada to Texas refineries.

Republicans say the pipeline is a top congressional priority.