History of Alabama v. North Carolina in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 25, 2025

Alabama v. North Carolina (2010) was a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a dispute among states within the Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact. North Carolina was designated to host a regional waste facility and received $80 million from other compact members. The project was eventually terminated. The other states sought reimbursement of their funds. North Carolina refused. The case centered on the interpretation of the compact agreement and the financial obligations of the member states when a designated waste facility failed to materialize.

1980: Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act

In 1980, Congress passed the Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act to authorize the creation of interstate agreements regarding the management of low-level radioactive waste.

1983: Compact Formation

In 1983, North Carolina, along with other states, formed the Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact to coordinate the management of low-level radioactive waste.

1986: North Carolina Chosen

In 1986, North Carolina was selected as the location for the regional waste facility and requested funding from other states for the project.

1997: Project Stalled

By 1997, North Carolina had received more than $80 million from other states for the regional disposal facility project. However, it was unable to obtain the necessary license, and the commission threatened to cut off funding without a plan for the remaining steps.

June 1999: Florida and Tennessee Request Sanctions

In June 1999, Florida and Tennessee requested that the commission levy monetary sanctions against North Carolina, prompting North Carolina to attempt to withdraw from the Compact.

December 1999: Commission Demands Repayment

In December 1999, the commission demanded that North Carolina repay approximately $80 million in addition to other monetary penalties, but North Carolina refused to comply.

2003: Supreme Court Allows Lawsuit

In 2003, the Supreme Court allowed Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia, along with the commission, to sue North Carolina under the Court's original jurisdiction, requesting monetary and other relief.

January 2010: Oral Arguments Heard

In January 2010, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding exceptions to the reports filed by both parties in the Alabama v. North Carolina case.

2010: Public Domain Text

In 2010, text from the Alabama et al. v. North Carolina (2010) Slip Opinion, which is in the public domain, was incorporated into an article.

2010: Supreme Court Case

In 2010, the Alabama v. North Carolina case, 560 U.S. 330, was heard by the United States Supreme Court due to a disagreement over funding for a joint project related to low-level radioactive waste management.