October Term 2010 · Docket 10-174
Can federal courts order power plants to cut emissions?
States sue power companies over climate change. The companies argue courts lack authority to set environmental policy.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Katyal argued the case presents unprecedented numbers of perpetrators and victims. He claimed this quantitative difference eclipses past cases.
Ms. Underwood asserted states have longstanding authority to protect land and citizens. She emphasized the right to guard against out-of-state air pollution.
Mr. Keisler contended courts are being asked to perform legislative functions. He described the policy balancing as complex and consequential.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-35
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether federal courts can order private companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The dispute centers on judicial power versus legislative authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 19, 2011.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-51
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Supreme Court to dismiss the case. They argue federal courts cannot manage complex environmental policy.
the opposing sides want the Supreme Court to uphold the lawsuit. They argue states have a right to protect their citizens from pollution.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue this issue requires legislative balancing of policy interests. They claim courts lack the tools to manage such complex regulatory functions.
the opposing sides argue states possess fundamental authority to protect natural resources. They claim this right extends to pollution originating in other states.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the argument is too generalized for the Court to address.
Justice Scalia asked what benefit the Court gains by denying Article III standing if state courts hear the suit next.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-35
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between judicial and legislative power. It determines whether courts can directly regulate industrial emissions. The outcome shapes the role of federal courts in environmental policy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-35
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-19
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.