The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday strengthened a Utah rail project aimed at transporting crude oil, rulings against environmental groups and Colorado counties that challenge federal approval.

The 8-0 ruling overturned the lower court's ruling that stopped the project and condemned an environmental impact statement issued by a federal agency called the "Ground Transport Commission" to approve railroads too restrictive in scope.

A coalition of seven Utah counties and an infrastructure investment group are seeking to build an 88-mile (142-kilometer) rail line in northeast Utah to connect the sparsely populated Uinta Basin region with the existing freight rail network, which is primarily used to transport waxy crude oil.

The case tests the scope of environmental impact research that federal agencies must conduct under the National Environmental Policy Act, which was enacted in 1970 to prevent environmental hazards that may be caused by major projects. The law requires institutions to review the “foreseeable” effects of projects.

The Supreme Court heard the debate in the case on December 10, which has been closely watched by the company and the environmental group how the ruling affects wider infrastructure and energy projects.

According to the company and the commercial trade group, environmental comments that are too broad may increase the years of regulatory schedules, risking project feasibility and future infrastructure development.

The Ground Transport Commission has regulatory mandates for the new railway line, which issued an environmental impact statement and approved the railway proposal in 2021.

The Center for Biodiversity and other environmental groups have also filed lawsuits against Eagle County, Colorado, which noted that the program will increase training transportation in its area and double traffic on existing rail lines along the Colorado River.

The U.S. District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2023 that the Challenger favored the Challenger, concluding that the environmental review under-analyses the impact of increased oil production in basins and downstream, where oil improvements will be made.

The administration of former Democratic President Joe Biden supports the railroad coalition that is just like Utah.

15 other states support the challenger. Colorado said its economy relies on outdoor recreation, and the project increases the risk of leaks, spills or railroad car accidents near the source of the Colorado River.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch withdraws the case after some Democratic lawmakers urged the withdrawal of troops because his former legal client Philip Anschutz has a financial interest in its outcome.