High Court Declines Case On Whether CWA Preempts State Oil Spill Claims

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case on whether the Clean Water Act (CWA) preempts states from seeking damages under state law for harm from oil spills, letting stand an appellate ruling that rejected Louisiana's bid to recoup civil penalties from companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon explosion for harm to fish and birds. The high court announced Oct. 20 without comment that it was denying certiorari in Louisiana ex rel. Ballay v. BP Exploration & Production, Inc....