Chevron USA Incorporated v. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

The Court concluded that Chevron's World War II crude-oil production was "for or relating to" its wartime federal work under the federal officer removal statute. The case concerns whether Louisiana parishes' environmental-damage suits against oil companies can be moved from state court to federal court.

Justice Thomas wrote the 8–0 opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Barrett; Justice Jackson concurred.

Majority

Thomas

Roberts

Sotomayor

Kagan

Kavanaugh

Gorsuch

Barrett

Jackson

The decision supports federal-court removal for oil companies sued over wartime production connected to federal contracts. That affects Louisiana parishes seeking environmental damages and companies defending similar claims.

Lower courts must apply the Court's interpretation when deciding whether similar oil-production suits may proceed in federal court. The parties will continue the underlying environmental-damage litigation under that rule.

The Court concluded Chevron's World War II crude-oil production was "for or relating to" its wartime federal work under the removal statute.

Louisiana parishes pursuing environmental-damage claims and oil companies defending claims tied to wartime production are directly affected.

Lower courts and the parties must apply the Court's removal rule as the underlying environmental-damage litigation continues.