URI, Inc. v. Kleberg County

In construing a settlement agreement that conditioned resumption of uranium mining operations on restoration of well-water quality if pre-mining data showed the water had been suitable for specified uses before prior mining operations began, the lower courts impermissibly employed surrounding facts and circumstances to determine subjective intent and interpolate constraints not found in the contract’s unambiguous language.Specifically, the lower courts held that, in determining whether a restoration obligation existed as to a disputed well, the mining company was contractually required to ignore data showing no pre-mining suitability. The Supreme court reversed and rendered judgment for the mining company, holding that the court of appeals clearly erred by relying on extrinsic evidence of intent to add to, alter, and augment the settlement agreements plain and unambiguous language. View "URI, Inc. v. Kleberg County" on Justia Law