Supreme Court sides with Chevron

The decision places a $745 million state jury judgment against Chevron into question, as federal courts are generally viewed as more favorable to large corporations.

Louisiana officials had argued that the companies should be held liable for damage caused by crude oil production dating back to World War II. Chevron maintained it was acting as a federal contractor at the time, a position the high court's ruling now allows them to defend more effectively.

The outcome could impact dozens of similar environmental cases currently pending across the Gulf Coast.