Background
On April 17, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an 8-0 decision in Chevron USA Incorporated, et al., Petitioners v. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, et al., holding that Chevron and other energy producers may remove Louisiana coastal damage actions from state court to federal court under the federal officer removal statute, 28 U.S.C Section 1442(a)(1), because the claims relate to oil production conducted under federal direction during World War II. The Court concluded that the statue’s term “relating to” has broad reach, covering even indirect connections.
The ruling allows Chevron and other energy companies to pursue removal of 42 state court lawsuits brought by local Louisiana parishes. These lawsuits, some dating as far back as 2013, seek damages and remediation funding and allege that energy‑production activities conducted by Chevron and other defendant companies, including activities related to federal contracts, caused coastal land loss and increased hurricane vulnerability.
Join Us for a Webinar on the Implications
of this Decision*
In the aftermath of the Court’s decision, a panel of experts will examine the broader impact of the ruling, including what comes next for the 42 Louisiana state‑court lawsuits, questions surrounding the lawfulness of retroactive liability, the scope of protections available to federal contractors, implications for state courts, the boundaries of tort law, and other consequential issues.
* The LEC also hosted a preview discussion of this case in September 2025 with some of the same panelists—watch or listen.
Continue scrolling to learn about our panelists.
Mike Fragoso
,
Partner, Torridon Law PLLC
Mike Fragoso is a seasoned legal and policy strategist. Most recently he served as chief counsel to Senator Mitch McConnell. He has negotiated consequential legislation, managed successful congressional oversight, and prepared individuals for the most contentious Senate hearings.
Melissa Landry,
Research Analyst and Policy Expert
Melissa Landry is a research analyst and policy expert with more than a decade of experience on Louisiana’s coastal lawsuits and the broader campaign of climate lawfare against the state’s energy sector. She has followed these cases from the parish courthouses to the U.S. Supreme Court, and is a trusted voice on what the litigation means for energy investment, coastal restoration, and the communities that depend on both.
Simone Maloz,
Campaign Director,
Restore the Mississippi River Delta
Simone’s primary role as campaign director of the coalition, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, is to support the staff’s daily work towards achieving a future Mississippi River Delta that includes a just, climate-resilient coast where people and nature thrive. Simone’s work centers around implementing the coalition’s goals, which include advancing priority projects, protecting and pursuing critical coastal funding, and working/laying the foundation to secure an equitable, safe and flourishing future coast.
Michael R. Williams,
Solicitor General, Office of the Attorney General of West Virginia
Michael Williams is the Solicitor General for the State of West Virginia. In that role, Michael represents the State in appeals before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Michael also coordinates strategic affirmative litigation on the State’s behalf, including litigation against the federal government.
Donald J. Kochan, Moderator
Professor of Law and Executive Director, Law & Economics Center, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
Donald J. Kochan is Professor of Law and Executive Director of the Law & Economics Center (LEC). Professor Kochan’s scholarship focuses on areas of property law, constitutional law, administrative law, natural resources and environmental law, tort law, and law & economics.
If you have any questions about the webinar please
contact us at [email protected] or 703-993-8008.