US: Supreme Court torn on natural gas jurisdiction ruling

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The gas companies targeted asked the Court to rule that the states’ claims are superseded by the federal-level Natural Gas Act.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

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