{"argument_date":"2019-12-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-12-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Blatt argued state lawsuits should not implement piecemeal cleanups.","Mr. Palmore argued the Court lacks jurisdiction over the appeal.","Ms. Blatt cited the contiguous landowner provision in federal law."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 37-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 55-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 55-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 35-43"}]}],"caption":"Atlantic Richfield Co. v. Christian","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.531277Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.558227Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Landowners seek state court orders for specific cleanups. ARCO argues federal law blocks these suits.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-12-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-1498.html","primary_docket":"17-1498","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:40:00.666820Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests if state courts can order cleanups at federal Superfund sites. ARCO argues federal law preempts these state actions. Landowners claim state law allows separate remediation plans. The dispute centers on the scope of federal preemption."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 3, 2019."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 19-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["ARCO wants the Court to affirm the lower court's denial of its motion.","Landowners want the Court to allow their state law damages claim to proceed."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["ARCO argues federal law preempts state court orders for separate cleanups.","Landowners argue state law permits separate remediation plans alongside federal efforts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if EPA approval changes the legal analysis.","Justice Sotomayor asked if state law requires a specific damages remedy."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 37-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 55-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 55-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 35-43"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary between state and federal environmental enforcement. It determines whether landowners can pursue separate state court remedies. The outcome shapes the legal landscape for hazardous waste cleanup disputes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 37-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 55-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 55-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 35-43"}]}],"slug":"2019-17-1498-atlantic-richfield-co-v-christian","term":"2019","title":"Can state courts order separate cleanups at federal Superfund sites?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 55-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 55-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/17-1498_5if6.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 31-17"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}