In a significant ruling on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with oil and gas companies, allowing them to challenge lawsuits concerning coastal land loss in Louisiana in federal court. This decision follows a state jury's order for Chevron to pay over $740 million to address environmental damage caused by its operations. Louisiana has experienced a staggering loss of more than 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) of coastal land over the past century, primarily attributed to the activities of oil and gas companies, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The state's coastal protection agency warns that an additional 3,000 square miles (7,770 square kilometers) could be lost in the coming decades if no action is taken. The companies, backed by the Trump administration, argue that they should not be held accountable for actions taken before state environmental regulations were established. The case stems from a series of lawsuits initiated in 2013, alleging that major oil companies, including Chevron and Exxon, have long violated state environmental laws. Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the case due to financial interests in ConocoPhillips, reflecting the complexities surrounding the legal proceedings.