US Supreme Court sends Louisiana coastal suit against Chevron back for federal review

On 17 April 2026 the US Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, with Justice Alito not taking part. The court vacated the Fifth Circuit ruling and remanded the case, holding that Chevron plausibly showed its challenged crude-oil conduct was closely related to federal aviation-fuel duties. The decision is procedural and does not resolve the merits of the coastal damages claims.

• Decision date: 17 April 2026; vote 8-0, Alito not participating
• Majority opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas; Justice Jackson concurred in the judgment
• Judgment: vacated and remanded
• Test applied: federal officer removal statute, 'relating to' prong