South Carolina v. North Carolina
| Docket No. | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 138-original | Apr 30, 2025 | 5-4 | Alito | OT 2009 |
Holding: The Catawba Project and Duke Energy (but not the City of Charlotte) can intervene in this original case in which South Carolina claims North Carolina diverted more than its fair share of water from the Catawba River.
Judgment: Exceptions to the Special Master's First Interim Report overruled in part and sustained in part, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito on April 30, 2025. Chief Justice Roberts filed a separate opinion concurring in the judgment in part and dissenting in part, joined by Justices Thomas, Ginsburg, and Sotomayor.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- The key to settling a big fight (Lyle Denniston, December 28, 2010)
- Private parties intervene in water dispute (Anna Christensen, January 26, 2010)
- Who can join in an Original case? (Lyle Denniston, March 30, 2009)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Exceptions of The State of South Carolina to First Interim Report of The Special Master and Brief In Support of Exceptions
- Brief for the State of North Carolina in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Exceptions
- Sur-Reply Brief of The State of South Carolina In Support of Exceptions To First Interim Report of The Special Master
- Reply Brief of Intervenor Catawba River Water Supply Project To Exceptions of South Carolina to the First Interim Report of the Special Master
- Reply Brief of Intervenor Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC’s To Exceptions of South Carolina to the First Interim Report
- Reply Brief of Intervenor The City of Charlotte In Response To Exceptions of the State of South Carolina
Amicus Briefs
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Exceptions of The State of South Carolina to First Interim Report of The Special Master and Brief In Support of Exceptions
- Brief for the State of North Carolina in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Exceptions
- Sur-Reply Brief of The State of South Carolina In Support of Exceptions To First Interim Report of The Special Master
- Reply Brief of Intervenor Catawba River Water Supply Project To Exceptions of South Carolina to the First Interim Report of the Special Master
- Reply Brief of Intervenor Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC’s To Exceptions of South Carolina to the First Interim Report
- Reply Brief of Intervenor The City of Charlotte In Response To Exceptions of the State of South Carolina
Amicus Briefs