October Term 2024 · Docket 23-975
Does NEPA require agencies to study distant environmental impacts?
A coalition argues the law mandates studying all foreseeable effects. The county argues agencies should focus on direct impacts.
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
Clement argued NEPA is a procedural statute designed to inform decisions.
Kneedler argued agency decisions should focus on the most useful environmental issues.
questions_and_answers
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- 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 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 53-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 53-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 29-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the scope of environmental review under NEPA. the sides that brought the case seek a broad standard for foreseeable impacts. the opposing sides seek a narrower standard for direct impacts.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 10, 2024.
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 66, lines 29-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-11
What each side wants
The coalition wants the Court to adopt a broad foreseeability standard for environmental review.
The county wants the Court to allow agencies to limit review to direct project impacts.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
What each side says
The coalition argues the statute requires studying all reasonably foreseeable environmental effects.
The county argues agencies should concentrate review on issues they deem most useful.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked how to articulate the proposed rule in writing.
Justice Kagan asked if the test excludes impacts beyond eighty-eight miles.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 53-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 53-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 29-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-35
Why it matters
The outcome defines the geographic and temporal reach of federal environmental reviews. Agencies must decide how far to look for potential harm. This affects project approval timelines and environmental protection scope.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
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 7-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 53-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 53-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 29-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-35
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 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 15-11
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.