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No. 23-1300October Term 2024Decided Jun 18, 2025

Docket 23-1300October Term 2024 (2024–2025)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, et al., Petitioners v. Texas, et al.

The Supreme Court ruled that only parties who formally intervened in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's licensing proceedings can challenge its final orders in court under the Hobbs Act, and affirmed the Commission's authority to license private facilities for storing spent nuclear fuel away from reactor sites.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 18, 2025
Case AcceptedOct 4, 2024
Arguments HeardMar 5, 2025
Decision ReleasedJun 18, 2025
What it's about

The Supreme Court ruled that only parties who formally intervened in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's licensing proceedings can challenge its final orders in court under the Hobbs Act, and affirmed the Commission's authority to license private facilities for storing spent nuclear fuel away from reactor sites.

Question presented

1. Can a nonparty challenge a federal agency’s “final order” under the Hobbs Act’s judicial review provision? 2. Do federal nuclear laws allow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to license private companies to store spent nuclear fuel at off-reactor sites?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Jun 18, 2025

Area

Administrative Law