October Term 2020 · Docket 19-1039
Can a private pipeline company sue a state in federal court to seize land?
PennEast Pipeline seeks to condemn New Jersey land. New Jersey claims state immunity blocks the suit.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Paul Clement argued eminent domain is essential to sovereignty.
Clement stated private parties can exercise this power for infrastructure.
Clement claimed federal law overrides state immunity in this context.
Michael Kneedler argued the lower courts lacked jurisdiction over the suit.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 7-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 7-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
PennEast Pipeline wants to build a gas line. It needs land in New Jersey. The company sued in federal court. New Jersey refused to comply. The state claims the Eleventh Amendment bars the suit. PennEast argues federal law overrides state immunity. The Court must decide if private parties can sue states for land.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 28, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 7-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 7-51
What each side wants
PennEast wants the Court to allow the federal lawsuit to proceed.
New Jersey wants the Court to dismiss the case based on state immunity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
What each side says
PennEast argues federal law deputizes private companies to exercise eminent domain.
New Jersey argues the Eleventh Amendment bars private suits against states.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked if state immunity was part of the union bargain.
Justice Thomas asked how deputizing differs from delegating power to private parties.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 7-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 7-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-27
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of state sovereignty. It determines if private companies can bypass state courts. The outcome shapes federal power over state land. It affects future infrastructure projects nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
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 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 7-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 7-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-27
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 19-11
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.