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No. 25-159October Term 2025Before Arguments

Docket 25-159October Term 2025 (2025–2026)

Leonard W. Hoffmann, et al., Petitioners v. WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.

from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Case status

Current stage
Before Arguments
Latest event
Accepted by the Court
Decision timing
No window until argument is scheduled.
Case AcceptedUpcoming
Arguments AheadUpcoming
Decision ReleasedUpcoming
What it's about

from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Question presented

In private condemnations under the Natural Gas Act, should just compensation be determined by reference to state law?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit / Accepted by the Court

Area

Supreme Court case awaiting argument

Timing

Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term

The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.

The Court does not announce decision dates in advance.Argument and decision days

Briefing

What it's about

The Supreme Court agreed to hear a fight over how to measure just compensation (the money owed for taken property) when a private company uses the Natural Gas Act to take land. The question is whether courts should look to state law or only the Fifth Amendment's minimum compensation rule.

Argument

The Court granted certiorari (agreed to hear the case), but oral argument has not been scheduled. The justices have not publicly weighed in on the merits yet.

Impact

The answer could change how much money landowners receive when pipeline projects take easements or land. For example, a property owner could get more under some state rules than under the federal minimum.

What is the main issue in Hoffmann v. WBI Energy?

It asks whether payment for property taken under the Natural Gas Act should follow state law or only the Fifth Amendment minimum.

Who could be affected by Hoffmann v. WBI Energy?

Landowners and pipeline companies could both feel the impact. A property owner may receive more or less money depending on the rule.

When is the next step in Hoffmann v. WBI Energy?

The next milestone is oral argument, but it has not been scheduled. Until then, watch for a calendar date or another Court order.

Documents

Orders

Lower Court Orders/Opinions

Key filings

Questions Presented
Petition
View full docket on supremecourt.gov

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Grounding

Grounding
Primary materials plus reporting.
Note
Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked
Jul 23, 2026
Method
Methodology
Primary materials8
Context reporting4