chevron usa inc v plaquemines
Definition
A 2026 U.S. Supreme Court case (Docket No. 24-813), Chevron U.S.A. Inc. et al. v. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana et al., concerning federal jurisdiction over state environmental lawsuits against oil companies.
In an 8-0 decision authored by Justice Clarence Thomas on April 17, 2026, the Court held that federal contractors sued for acts 'for or relating to' their federal contracts—such as WWII-era oil production—may remove cases to federal court under 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1), vacating the Fifth Circuit and remanding.
The case arose from Louisiana parishes' suits alleging oil and gas activities damaged coastal wetlands, with Chevron arguing removal based on historical federal directives for aviation fuel production.
Examples
Law nerds lit up Twitter when Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines handed oil giants a dusty WWII hall pass to federal court.
In Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines, the Supremes turned a bayou blame game into prime federal jurisdiction real estate.
Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines proves that even contracts older than your grandpa can dodge state-court drama.
Picture this: swamps sue over spills, but Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines says 'federal express' to the rescue.