October Term 2014 · Docket 14-46
Must the EPA weigh costs when regulating power plants?
States argue the EPA ignored costs. The agency says health risks drive the rule.
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 Verrilli argued the EPA's reading is natural and permissible.
He stated the statute directs the agency to focus on health concerns.
Mr. Lindstrom argued the EPA's view contradicts the statutory text.
He noted the law uses two distinct terms: necessary and appropriate.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether the EPA must consider economic costs when setting pollution limits for power plants. Michigan and other states claim the agency ignored these costs. The EPA argues that public health concerns alone justify the regulation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 25, 2015.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 13-21
What each side wants
Michigan and other states want the EPA to consider costs when setting pollution limits.
The EPA wants to rely solely on health risks to justify its pollution limits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
What each side says
Michigan argues the law requires the EPA to weigh both necessity and appropriateness, including costs.
The EPA argues the law focuses on health concerns and does not mention costs.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if the EPA ignored technology availability.
Justice Scalia asked for a citation to the lower court opinion.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-13
Why it matters
This case defines how agencies balance health and economic factors. It shapes future environmental regulations across the country. The outcome affects power plant operations and public health protections.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
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 29-43 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-13
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 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 41-5
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.