October Term 2013 · Docket 12-1182
Can EPA force states to cut pollution without defining the legal standard?
States challenge EPA's rule requiring them to reduce air pollution. They argue the agency failed to define the legal trigger for these cuts.
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
Mr. Stewart argued EPA sought to protect public health. He stated the agency struck a fair balance between states.
Mr. Mitchell argued EPA wrote states out of the Clean Air Act. He claimed the agency left states in the dark about the legal phrase.
Justice Scalia questioned the statutory basis for EPA's approach. He pressed for a direct answer on the legal provision.
Justice Roberts used a stabbing analogy to probe the definition of contribution. He asked if any role in a bad result counts as significant.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 33-19 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 33-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on the Clean Air Act. EPA issued a rule requiring upwind states to cut pollution. States argue the rule lacks a clear legal definition. They claim this violates the law's requirements for state action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 10, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-23
What each side wants
EPA wants the rule to stand. It aims to protect public health and balance state interests.
States want the rule struck down. They seek to avoid mandates without a clear legal definition.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
What each side says
EPA argues the rule strikes a fair balance. It claims the analysis followed three basic steps to protect health.
States argue EPA wrote them out of the law. They claim the agency failed to define the phrase contribute significantly.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked which statute provision allows EPA to consider state interests.
Justice Roberts asked if significant contribution means causing a fatal result in any way.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 33-19 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 33-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-9
Why it matters
This case defines how federal agencies regulate state pollution. It determines the balance between federal power and state autonomy. It sets the standard for defining legal triggers in environmental rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
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 11, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 33-19 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 33-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-9
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 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-8 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-8
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.