October Term 2024 · Docket 23-1229
Where must a refinery sue to challenge an EPA economic hardship denial?
The dispute centers on whether a refinery must file its challenge in Washington, D.C., or in a local court.
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
Stewart argued the case shows the venue provision aims to avoid specific results.
Waxman stated the core objective is avoiding inconsistent rules from duplicative litigation.
Huston argued the court must look to the chapter text to determine applicability.
Gorsuch questioned the statutory interpretation and economic theory behind the hardship determination.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 17-53 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 17-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-47
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The EPA argues the case belongs in D.C. to prevent conflicting rules. The refinery argues the case belongs locally because the denial targets its specific economic harm.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 25, 2025.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 17-53 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 17-53
What each side wants
The EPA wants the case to stay in D.C. to ensure uniform national rules.
The refinery wants the case to remain in its local court to challenge its specific denial.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
What each side says
The EPA argues Section 307(b) requires D.C. venue to avoid inconsistent rules from duplicative litigation.
The refinery argues the statute requires a local venue because the denial targets its specific economic harm.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
What the justices asked
Justice Gorsuch asked how far back a party must trace the reasoning to determine the correct venue.
Justice Thomas asked if there are limits to aggregating different claims to determine D.C. venue.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-47
Why it matters
This case defines where companies must sue to challenge specific EPA economic decisions. It determines whether local courts or D.C. courts handle these disputes. The outcome shapes the balance between national consistency and local judicial review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
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 41-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 17-53 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 17-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-47
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 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 29-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 29-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-21
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.