The Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday challenging whether the Natural Gas Act prevents various states from filing their own antitrust suits against companies accused of manipulating oil prices back in the years 2000—2002.
The gas companies targeted asked the Court to rule that the states’ claims are superseded by the federal-level Natural Gas Act. The law gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the authority to regulate aspects of the natural gas market, including wholesale prices. The plaintiffs argued Monday, however, that their claims were still valid since the cases involved retail prices.
The judges were divided with one liberal justice, Elena Kaga, saying, “I don’t really see a reason in this kind of case why you would exclude the state entirely.” For the opposition, conservative justice Antonin Scalia said, “The essence of the conspiracy that you are complaining about … are actions that come within the jurisdiction of the commission.”
The court is scheduled to deliver its decision by the end of June.
Full Content: Reuters
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Uruguayan Antitrust Scrutiny Puts Major Meatpacking Deal Between Marfrig and Minerva on Hold
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Alaska Airlines Seeks Dismissal of Consumer Lawsuit Over $1.9 Billion Hawaiian Airlines Buy
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Idaho Attorney General Orders Split of Kootenai Health and Syringa Hospital
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Court Rejects T-Mobile’s Appeal Bid in Antitrust Case Over Sprint Merger
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Google Requests Judge, Not Jury, to Decide on Antitrust Case
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Mapping Antitrust onto Digital Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystems and Competition Law: A Law and Political Economy Approach
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystem Theories of Harm: What is Beyond the Buzzword?
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Open Ecosystems: Benefits, Challenges, and Implications for Antitrust
May 9, 2024 by
CPI