Supreme Court 8-0 Lets Chevron Move Louisiana Coastal-Damage Case To Federal Court
The Supreme Court held 8-0 that Chevron can move a Louisiana coastal-damage case to federal court. Justice Samuel Alito recused himself because of financial ties to ConocoPhillips. The decision reverses a lower-court ruling and shifts the venue for the long-running dispute to the federal system.
The suit traces to a Plaquemines Parish jury verdict that ordered Chevron, as Texaco's successor, to pay more than $740 million for coastal cleanup. Oil and gas companies argued they acted as U.S. contractors during World War II, a point backed by briefs supported by the Trump administration. Those federal-contractor arguments drive the venue fight but do not decide whether companies are liable for the damage. The U.S. Geological Survey links oil and gas infrastructure to over 2,000 square miles of Louisiana coastal land loss, and state officials warn the state could lose another 3,000 square miles in coming decades if trends continue.
Early coverage emphasized the dramatic local jury award and the scale of environmental harm. More recent reporting has shifted to procedural questions about federal venue and the federal-contractor defense. PBS highlighted the recusal and published the scientific and state-agency data that reframed the dispute. The Supreme Court's move changes where the case will be litigated but leaves the underlying liability claims to be decided in federal court.
📌 Key Facts
- The Supreme Court ruled 8-0 to let Chevron and other oil and gas companies move a Louisiana coastal-damage lawsuit to federal court; Justice Samuel Alito recused due to financial ties to ConocoPhillips.
- A Plaquemines Parish jury had ordered Chevron (as Texaco’s successor) to pay upward of $740 million for coastal-damage cleanup.
- Oil and gas companies, backed by the Trump administration, argued they acted as U.S. contractors during World War II to justify federal jurisdiction.
- The U.S. Geological Survey identifies oil and gas infrastructure as a significant cause of Louisiana’s coastal land loss, estimating more than 2,000 square miles lost.
- Louisiana’s coastal protection agency warns the state could lose an additional 3,000 square miles in coming decades.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The Supreme Court’s decision was 8-0, with Justice Samuel Alito recused due to financial ties to ConocoPhillips.
- The underlying Plaquemines Parish jury verdict ordered Chevron (as Texaco’s successor) to pay upward of $740 million for coastal damage cleanup.
- Oil and gas companies, backed by the Trump administration, argued they acted as U.S. contractors during World War II, justifying federal jurisdiction.
- U.S. Geological Survey has identified oil and gas infrastructure as a significant cause of Louisiana’s coastal land loss, estimated at over 2,000 square miles.
- Louisiana’s coastal protection agency warns the state could lose an additional 3,000 square miles in coming decades.