October Term 2024 · Docket 23-1300
Can a state sue over nuclear waste storage if it failed to join the agency process?
Texas and a private firm challenge a federal nuclear waste storage license. They argue they have standing despite missing agency deadlines.
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
Mr. Stewart argued the petitions should be dismissed. He said Texas and Fasken were not parties to the agency proceedings.
Mr. Frederick argued the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act excludes private offsite storage. He cited Section 10155(h) as proof.
Mr. Fagg argued that a denied intervention request is a final order. He said this allows for judicial review under the Hobbs Act.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- 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 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Texas and Fasken want to block a federal nuclear waste storage license. They claim the agency ignored their interests. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission wants the case dismissed. It argues they never joined the agency process properly.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 5, 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 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
What each side wants
Texas and Fasken want the license invalidated. They argue they have a legal right to challenge it.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission wants the case dismissed. It argues the challengers lost their chance to participate.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
What each side says
Texas and Fasken argue their interests were affected. They claim the agency process did not protect their rights.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission argues the challengers were not parties. It claims they cannot sue now because they missed the deadline.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked when an interested person can intervene in agency proceedings.
Justice Gorsuch asked if the challengers failed to argue issue preclusion below.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-13
Why it matters
This case defines who can challenge federal nuclear waste licenses. It sets the rules for joining agency hearings. It affects state and private rights to block nuclear storage projects.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
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 13-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-9
- 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 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-13
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 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 47-49
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.