Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 46— - PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATORY POLICIES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - INTERVENTION AND JUDICIAL REVIEW › § 2633
Federal courts normally cannot hear cases that come from subchapter I, subchapter II, or this subchapter. There are two exceptions. Federal courts can hear cases allowed under the federal rules that let the Secretary sue to protect his right to join proceedings or that allow federal-court review of federal-agency decisions. The Supreme Court can also review such cases under 28 U.S.C. 1257 and 1258. The Secretary may sue in federal court to enforce his right to join and take part in proceedings. If a utility or electric customer is blocked from joining by a State court, they can ask a federal district court to order the State regulator or nonregulated utility to let them join. People who took part in a proceeding can ask State courts to review or enforce decisions about non‑Federal utilities, following State rules. For decisions by Federal agencies, people (including the Secretary) may seek review or enforcement in federal court. The Secretary may also join reviews as a friend of the court and may intervene in proceedings or court reviews.
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Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 2633
Title 16 — Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73