Supreme Court to Hear Uinta Basin Railway Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding an 88-mile railroad project in Utah that aims to transport crude oil from the Uinta Basin, a proposal backed by local county governments but opposed by environmental groups and Eagle County, Colorado. The Surface Transportation Board approved the project after an environmental review; however, the D.C. Circuit Court found significant flaws in this analysis, including inadequacies in assessing potential impacts on vegetation, endangered species, and water quality under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is appealing, arguing that NEPA does not require consideration of broad indirect effects beyond the project location. Justice Neil Gorsuch has recused himself from the case due to past ties to an oil industry figure, highlighting the case's potential influence on federal environmental regulations. The ruling could redefine the scope of environmental reviews for infrastructure projects nationwide, with implications for energy production and climate change. The decision is expected by early summer and could set a precedent for future NEPA cases.