Supreme Court of the United States

South Carolina v. North Carolina

January 20, 2010558 U.S. 256

Summary

The Court held that nonstate entities may intervene in an original action for equitable apportionment of interstate waters only if they demonstrate a compelling interest in their own right not properly represented by the state. It found the CRWSP and Duke Energy met this standard but Charlotte did not. Chief Justice Roberts concurred in part and dissented in part, arguing nonsovereigns should rarely intervene in such suits.