new orleans pub new orleans argued april decided june federal energy regulatory commission ferc allocated cost grand gulf nuclear reactor among several jointly owned companies including petitioner new orleans public service nopsi agreed finance reactor construction operation nopsi provides retail electrical service new orleans sought respondent new orleans city council council local ratemaking body rate increase cover increase wholesale rates resulting ferc allocation grand gulf costs although deferring ferc implicit finding nopsi decision participate grand gulf venture reasonable council determined costs incurred thereby completely reimbursed rate increase nopsi management negligent failing risks nuclear power became apparent diversify supply portfolio selling portion grand gulf power nopsi filed petition state review council final rate order parallel federal proceedings district nopsi sought declaratory injunctive relief ground council order federal law nantahala power light thornburg held purpose setting intrastate retail rates state may differ ferc allocations wholesale power imposing judgment reasonable district concluded abstain deciding suit burford sun oil younger harris appeals affirmed held district erred abstaining exercising jurisdiction pp burford abstention doctrine federal equity courts must decline interfere complex state regulatory schemes cases involving difficult questions bearing policy problems substantial public import efforts establish coherent state policy regarding matter substantial public concern applicable case involve claim even assertion nopsi federal claims way entangled skein state law must unraveled federal case proceed nopsi facial claim may resolved without venturing beyond four corners council rate order federal adjudication claim unduly intrude state governmental process undermine state ability maintain desired uniformity treatment essentially local problems although nopsi alternative claim rate order nominal emphasis nopsi failure diversify power supply merely cover determination original grand gulf investment unwise resolved face order resolution claim demand significant familiarity disrupt state resolution distinctively local facts policies since wholesale electricity bought sold within predominantly local market pp abstention appropriate younger held absent extraordinary circumstances traditional equity concerns principles comity require federal courts refrain enjoining pending state criminal prosecutions expanded younger abstention beyond criminal proceedings even beyond proceedings courts never proceedings judicial nature council proceedings issue judicial nature since ratemaking establishes rule future essentially legislative act see prentis atlantic coast line proceedings case considered unitary legislative process virtue ongoing review proceedings contention louisiana courts review involves anything judicial act declaration nopsi rights council present past facts existing law nopsi claim therefore ripe federal review council completed legislative action entering final order pp scalia delivered opinion brennan white marshall stevens kennedy joined parts rehnquist joined brennan filed concurring opinion marshall joined post rehnquist filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment post blackmun filed opinion concurring judgment post rex lee argued cause petitioner briefs david carpenter thomas lind herschel abbott david radlauer edward bergin richard lazarus argued cause et al amici curiae urging reversal brief acting solicitor general bryson deputy solicitor general shapiro catherine cook jerome feit robert solomon clinton vince argued cause respondents brief bernhardt wruble nancy wodka okla jones ii briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed national association regulatory utility commissioners william paul rodgers national league cities et al benna ruth solomon charles rothfeld pennsylvania public utility commission lawrence barth john povilaitis justice scalia delivered opinion nantahala power light thornburg held purposes setting intrastate retail rates state may differ federal energy regulatory commission allocations wholesale power imposing judgment reasonable last term mississippi power light mississippi ex rel moore held ferc allocation cost grand gulf nuclear reactor among operating companies jointly agreed finance construction operation mississippi inquiry prudence utility retailer decision participate joint venture today confront legal issue arising question must pay grand gulf state ratemaking authority deferred ferc implicit finding new orleans public service decision participate grand gulf venture reasonable determined costs incurred thereby completely reimbursed asserted utility management negligent failing later diversify supply portfolio selling portion grand gulf power whether state decision provide less full reimbursement wholesale costs conflicts holdings nantahala mississippi power light issue case rather address threshold question whether district utility petitioned declaratory injunctive relief state ratemaking authority order properly abstained exercising jurisdiction deference state review process abstention questions stake little intricacies factual procedural history underlying controversy may sketch background case brief petitioner new orleans public service nopsi producer wholesaler retailer electricity provides retail electrical service city new orleans one four wholly owned operating subsidiaries middle south utilities middle south operates integrated power pool four operating companies transmits produced electricity central dispatch center draws back dispatch center power needs meet customer demand nopsi fellow operating companies entered contract middle south energy mse another wholly owned middle south subsidiary whereby operating companies agreed finance mse construction operation two megawatt nuclear reactors grand gulf return right reactors electrical output estimated cost completing two reactors billion late consumer demand turned far lower expected regulatory delays enhanced construction requirements high inflation led spiraling costs result construction grand gulf suspended cost completing grand gulf alone eventually exceeded billion surprisingly cost electricity produced reactor greatly exceeded power generated middle south conventional facilities acting pursuant exclusive regulatory authority interstate wholesale power transactions stat amended et ferc conducted extensive proceedings determine reasonable rates grand gulf power prescribe reasonable nondiscriminatory allocation grand gulf costs output june commission issued final order middle south energy ferc rehearing denied ferc aff sub nom mississippi industries ferc app rehearing granted vacated part app cert denied concluded planned nuclear reactors designed meet overall system needs objectives ferc middle south subsidiaries pay grand gulf project roughly proportion company share system demand commission allocated percent grand gulf costs approximately million per month nopsi rejecting middle south proposal percent well percent figure favored respondent new orleans city council although expressly discuss prudence constructing grand gulf bringing line ferc implicitly accepted uncontroverted testimony middle south executives explained believed decisions construct complete grand gulf sound approved finding continuing construction grand gulf unit prudent middle south executives believed grand gulf enable middle south system diversify base load fuel mix projected time produce power total cost capacity energy less existing alternatives system mississippi power light mississippi ex rel moore quoting middle south energy ferc pp district granted council motion dismiss holding pursuant johnson act jurisdiction entertain action even jurisdiction compelled burford sun oil abstain appeal fifth circuit initially reversed grounds later motion vacated earlier opinion part held abstention proper burford younger harris new orleans pub new orleans modified cert denied nopsi resolution october nopsi still pending fifth circuit council initiated investigation prudence nopsi involvement grand gulf resolution stated council intention examine aspects nopsi relationship grand gulf including nopsi efforts minimize total cost exposure purchase grand gulf impact power supply opportunities purpose determining portion nopsi grand gulf expense shall assumed nopsi shareholders app resolution specifically provided however setting appropriate retail rate council seek invalidate agreements surrounding grand gulf order nopsi pay mse rate approved ferc november nopsi filed second suit district eastern district louisiana seeking preclude council requiring nopsi shareholders absorb nopsi share grand gulf costs district dismissed suit unripe held alternative abstention appropriate appeal fifth circuit affirmed judgment ripeness grounds new orleans pub council new orleans council completed prudence review february immediately entered final order disallowing million grand gulf costs order based council determinations nopsi oversight review grand gulf obligation uncritical severely deficient app nopsi acted imprudently failing reduce risk grand gulf commitment wake three mile island nuclear incident march selling part share upon receipt council decree nopsi turned district eastern district louisiana seeking declaratory injunctive relief ground light recent decision nantahala power light thornburg council rate order federal law although district expressed considerable doubt merits council position question concluded notwithstanding nantahala still abstain deciding suit anticipating district might abstain nopsi filed petition review council order civil district parish orleans louisiana filed nopsi petition raised claims federal due process takings claims nopsi informed state letter amend raise federal claim federal dismissed complaint happened parallel federal proceedings fifth circuit affirmed district dismissal agreeing case effectively controlled nopsi burford younger abstention applied granted certiorari ii proceeding merits abstention issues bears emphasis council dispute district jurisdiction decide nopsi claim cases long supported proposition federal courts lack authority abstain exercise jurisdiction conferred example right decline exercise jurisdiction given usurp given one treason constitution cohens virginia wheat courts bound proceed judgment afford redress suitors every case jurisdiction extends abdicate authority duty case favor another jurisdiction chicot county sherwood citations omitted federal properly appealed case law jurisdiction duty take jurisdiction right party plaintiff choose federal choice properly denied willcox consolidated gas citations omitted underlying assertions undisputed constitutional principle congress judiciary defines scope federal jurisdiction within constitutionally permissible bounds kline burke construction principle eliminate however categorical assertions based upon call question federal courts discretion determining whether grant certain types relief discretion part background statutes conferring jurisdiction enacted see shapiro jurisdiction discretion rev thus classes cases withholding authorized equitable relief undue interference state proceedings normal thing younger harris carefully defined however areas abstention permissible remains exception rule hawaii housing authority midkiff quoting colorado river water conservation dist recently last term described federal courts obligation adjudicate claims within jurisdiction virtually unflagging deakins monaghan citation omitted principles mind address question whether district relying burford sun oil younger harris supra properly declined exercise jurisdiction present case acknowledge various types abstention rigid pigeonholes federal courts must try fit cases pennzoil texaco policy considerations supporting burford younger sufficiently distinct justify independent analyses burford sun oil supra federal district sitting equity confronted fourteenth amendment challenge reasonableness texas railroad commission grant oil drilling permit constitutional challenge minimal federal importance involving solely question whether commission properly applied texas complex oil gas conservation regulations intricacy importance regulatory scheme texas created centralized system judicial review commission orders permit ted state courts like railroad commission acquire specialized knowledge regulations industry found state courts review commission decisions expeditious adequate exercise equitable jurisdiction comparatively unsophisticated federal district courts alongside review repeatedly led elay misunderstanding local law needless federal conflict state policy concluded sound respect independence state action requir ed federal equity stay hand applied principles alabama pub serv southern railroad sought enjoin enforcement order alabama public service commission refusing permission discontinue unprofitable rail lines according railroad requiring continued operation lines amounted confiscation property violation federal due process rights alabama law party dissatisfied final order public service commission absolute right appeal circuit montgomery county empowered set aside commission order found contrary substantial weight evidence erroneous matter law right statutory appeal concentrated one circuit exercised supervisory powers found integral part regulatory process alabama code ibid taking account unified nature state regulatory process emphasizing adequate state review administrative order available success railroad constitutional challenge depended upon predominantly local factor public need service rendered held district abstained exercising jurisdiction cases others relied distilled principle commonly referred burford doctrine timely adequate review available federal sitting equity must decline interfere proceedings orders state administrative agencies difficult questions state law bearing policy problems substantial public import whose importance transcends result case bar exercise federal review question case similar cases disruptive state efforts establish coherent policy respect matter substantial public concern colorado river water conservation dist supra present case involve claim even assertion federal claims way entangled skein state law must untangled federal case proceed mcneese board education community unit school dist cahokia fifth circuit acknowledged much nopsi found absence state law claim fatal thought motivating force behind burford abstention reluctance intrude state proceedings exists complex state regulatory system finding case involved complex regulatory scheme paramount local concern matter demands local administrative expertise held district appropriately applied burford burford concerned protecting complex state administrative processes undue federal interference require abstention whenever exists process even cases potential conflict state regulatory law policy colorado river water conservation nopsi primary claim council prohibited federal law refusing provide reimbursement wholesale costs unlike claim state agency misapplied lawful authority failed take consideration properly weigh relevant factors federal adjudication sort claim disrupt state attempt ensure uniformity treatment essentially local problem alabama pub serv supra burford abstention justified circumstances strongly suggested decision public util ohio fuel gas decided four months prior burford district enjoined federal grounds state attempt fix interstate gas rates determining state order impinged authority congress vested solely federal power commission addressed state contention district nonetheless abused discretion granting injunctive relief perhaps unnecessary late date repeat admonition federal courts wary interrupting proceedings state administrative tribunals use extraordinary writ injunction rule equity applied blind disregard fact commanding circumstances present case first important orders state commission face plainly invalid inquiry beyond orders undisputed facts underlie necessary order discover conflict federal act emphasis added true initial complaint nopsi asserted alternative facial challenge rate order nominal emphasis nopsi failure diversify power supply selling portion grand gulf allocation merely cover determination original grand gulf investment unwise unlike facial challenge claim resolved face rate order hinges largely plausibility council finding nopsi diversified supply portfolio thereby lowered average wholesale costs see supra analysis pretext claim requires inquiry industry practice wholesale rates power availability relevant time period endeavor demands level expertise since facts case amply demonstrate wholesale electricity bought sold within predominantly local market demand significant familiarity disrupt state resolution distinctively local regulatory facts policies principles underlying burford therefore implicated younger harris involved facial first challenge california criminal syndicalism act held absent extraordinary circumstances federal courts enjoin pending state criminal prosecutions holding based partly traditional principles equity rested primarily even vital consideration comity explained includes proper respect state functions recognition fact entire country made union separate state governments continuance belief national government fare best institutions left free perform separate functions separate ways ibid proceeding issue criminal prosecution one issues present case whether principle younger properly extended type suit nopsi argues issue reached however several reasons first nopsi argues younger require abstention face substantial claim challenged state action completely federal law claim nopsi contends calls question prerequisite younger abstention state legitimate substantial interest pending proceedings middlesex county ethics comm garden state bar thus contends district presented request equitable relief take quick look merits upon look claim appears substantial endeavor resolve disagree greater federal interest enforcing supremacy federal statutes enforcing supremacy explicit constitutional guarantees constitutional challenges state action less challenges call question legitimacy state interest proceedings reviewing enforcing action yet clear mere assertion substantial constitutional challenge state action alone compel exercise federal jurisdiction see younger inquire substantiality state interest proceedings look narrowly interest outcome particular case arguably offset substantial federal interest opposite outcome rather look importance generic proceedings state younger example consult california interest prohibiting john harris distributing handbills rather interest carrying important necessary task enforcing criminal laws similarly ohio civil rights dayton christian schools looked ohio specific concern dayton christian schools firing linda hoskinson general interest preventing employers engaging sex discrimination challenges merit similar focus appropriate question whether louisiana substantial legitimate interest reducing nopsi retail rate necessary recover wholesale costs whether substantial legitimate interest regulating intrastate retail rates clearly regulation utilities one important functions traditionally associated police power arkansas electric cooperative arkansas pub serv accord pacific gas electric state energy resources conservation development central hudson gas electric public serv new york nopsi attempts avoid conclusion stressing challenges result council deliberations right council conduct deliberations argument assumes course enjoining louisiana state courts equated enjoining council proceedings point shall address due course simply true reference council deliberations generic nopsi deny state interest affirmatively protected federal law conducting proceedings set intrastate retail electricity rates rather contends particular facts present case wholesale costs proper subject proceedings different contention younger defendant violation particular allegedly unconstitutional state statute proper subject prosecution words argument nopsi ultimately reduces insistence upon narrow analytical focus nopsi second argument effect abstention improper even assuming state proceedings sort younger applies rests upon principle abstention appropriate federal plaintiff suffer irreparable injury absent equitable relief younger see also irreparable injury may possibly established younger suggested showing challenged state statute flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions quoting watson buck relying public util ohio fuel gas upheld order district enjoining state public utilities commission attempting directly regulate interstate gas prices actions face plainly invalid emphasis added nopsi asserts younger posited exception state statutes flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions apply equally state proceedings orders flagrantly patently violative federal unlawful violates express constitutional prescription supremacy clause thus nopsi argues even substantial claim federal sufficient render abstention inappropriate least facially conclusive claim perhaps decide matter since proceeding order issue meet description council sought directly regulate interstate wholesale rates questioned validity allocation power within grand gulf system wholesale rates reexamined prudence nopsi agreement participate grand gulf first place rather council maintains examined prudence nopsi failure risks nuclear power became apparent diversify supply portfolio finding failure negligent taken normal ratemaking step making nopsi shareholders rather ratepayers bear consequences nothing directly even indirectly foreclosed federal statute regulations implementing case law applying may well reason doubt council necessary factual finding nopsi saved money diversified see supra conclusively say wrong without factual inquiry requires factual inquiry hardly deemed flagrantly unlawful purposes threshold abstention determination conclude therefore nopsi challenge must stand fall upon answer question whether louisiana action type proceeding younger applies viewed isolation plainly although concern comity federalism led us expand protection younger beyond state criminal prosecutions civil enforcement proceedings huffman pursue trainor hernandez moore sims even civil proceedings involving certain orders uniquely furtherance state courts ability perform judicial functions see juidice vail civil contempt order pennzoil texaco requirement posting bond pending appeal never suggested younger requires abstention deference state judicial proceeding reviewing legislative executive action broad abstention requirement make mockery rule exceptional circumstances justify federal refusal decide case deference colorado river water conservation dist moses cone memorial hospital mercury construction cf moore sims supra remotely suggest every pending proceeding state federal plaintiff justifies abstention unless one exceptions younger applies citation omitted asserting younger applicable however respondents focus upon louisiana action isolation upon action mere continuation council proceeding contention council ratemaking prudence inquiry even though complete constitutes ongoing proceeding subject state judicial review brief respondents proper question contend whether council proceeding qualified younger treatment proceeding complete judicial review concluded respondents argue analogy treatment proceedings younger purposes uninterruptible whole proceeding younger applies state trial entered judgment losing party course pursue equitable remedies federal district concurrently challenging trial judgment appeal younger purposes state process treated unitary system federal disrupt integrity intervening midprocess demonstrate lack respect state sovereign reason party may procure federal intervention terminating state judicial process prematurely forgoing state appeal attack trial judgment federal necessary concomitant younger party wishing contest federal judgment state judicial tribunal must exhaust state appellate remedies seeking relief district huffman pursue supra respondents urge principles apply equally initial adjudicatory tribunal agency litigation agency courts viewed unitary process disrupted federal intervention permitted conclusion administrative stage assume without deciding correct respondents case abstention still requires however council proceeding sort proceeding entitled younger treatment think expanded younger beyond criminal proceedings even beyond proceedings courts never extended proceedings judicial nature see middlesex county ethics comm garden state bar clear beyond doubt new jersey considers bar disciplinary proceedings judicial nature proceedings character warrant deference see also ohio civil rights dayton christian schools found administrative proceedings middlesex judicial nature outset essential decision progressed review time heard federal injunction case council proceedings present case judicial nature prentis atlantic coast line several railroads requested federal circuit enjoin virginia state corporation commission publishing taking steps enforce certain order fixing passenger rates ground proposed rates confiscatory decide whether federal liberty issue requested injunction examined first nature challenged agency action virginia law commission invested legislative judicial powers assumed without deciding proceeding railroad enforce rate order punish railroad breach sitting protected interference part courts upon analysis found proceedings case hand legislative justice holmes writing explained follows judicial inquiry investigates declares enforces liabilities stand present past facts laws supposed already exist purpose end legislation hand looks future changes existing conditions making new rule applied thereafter part subject power establishment rate making rule future therefore act legislative judicial kind ibid proper characterization agency actions depends upon character body upon character proceedings matter inquiries may made preliminary legislative act legislation preceded hearings investigations effect inquiry decision upon determined nature act inquiry decision lead nature final act determines nature previous inquiry judge bound declare law must know discover facts establish law final act legislative decision induces judicial practical sense although questions considered might arise trial case citations omitted characterization however end inquiry prentis found challenged agency proceeding legislative character nonetheless held equitable intervention inappropriate determined attack rate order premature although made clear challenging rates bound wait proceedings brought enforce rate punish departing virginia provided legislative review commission rates appeal state courts concluded challengers make sure state final legislative action respect think rights resorting courts concerned words preserve integrity unitary legislative process huffman pursue preserve integrity judicial proceedings similarly present case louisiana courts review council ratemaking legislative nature nopsi challenge council order dismissed unripe contention louisiana courts review involves anything judicial act making rule future declaration nopsi rights council present past facts laws supposed already exist prentis supra seem room contention see state ex rel guste council new orleans la since review extension legislative process nopsi claim ripe federal review council order entered see lane wilson bacon rutland challenge completed legislative action nopsi suit represents neither interference ongoing judicial proceedings younger directed interference ongoing legislative process ripeness holding prentis directed insofar policies federal comity concerned different substance facial challenge allegedly unconstitutional statute zoning ordinance assuredly require brought state courts see wooley maynard true course federal disposition case may well affect practical purposes future present circumstances even pending action doctrine availability even pendency state judicial proceedings excludes federal courts viewed challenge completed legislative action louisiana suit comes within none exceptions younger later cases established reasons stated judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes adverting merits district commented council faults nopsi buying pig poke failing find sucker buy became barnum said suckers one born every minute however ready assume many suckers purchasing electricity wholesale market today indeed somewhat mystified council logic arriving million disallowance rate order rate order council simply concluded since nopsi president said savings actually possible council seemingly pulled thin air figure prudence disallowance however council case everyone else knows figure pulled thin air represents difference ferc allocation nopsi consistently claims relative share middle south system council advocated unsuccessfully ferc proceeding thus disallowed costs bear apparent relationship savings nopsi said foregone sic must savings posited reason disallowance least possible actual economic market furthermore must ultimate disallowance bear rational relationship possible savings support disallowance questions must resolved another day another app pet cert nopsi state suit since consolidated declaratory judgment action filed earlier council seeking declaration rate order represented reasonable exercise regulatory power nopsi failure comply order unlawful suit filed local consumers rights organization alliance affordable energy seeking force council disallow least larger proportion grand gulf costs case still pending nopsi council new orleans boissiere cain alliance affordable energy council new orleans civ dist parish orleans ohio civil rights dayton christian schools held younger doctrine prevented injunction ongoing sex discrimination proceeding ohio civil rights commission decision arguably applying younger administrative proceeding middlesex county ethics comm garden state bar similarly involved situation proceeding yet end fact dayton christian schools relied alternative argument upon fact federal challenge made upon appeal state courts see suggests perhaps administrative proceeding younger applies challenged federal even administrative action become final never squarely faced question justice brennan justice marshall joins concurring join opinion continue adhere view however abstention doctrine younger harris general inapplicable civil proceedings see pennzoil texaco brennan concurring judgment trainor hernandez brennan dissenting juidice vail brennan dissenting huffman pursue brennan dissenting chief justice rehnquist concurring parts concurring judgment agree prior cases extending younger beyond criminal prosecutions civil proceedings limited application proceedings judicial nature longstanding characterization distinction judicial legislative proceedings see prentis atlantic coast line council ratemaking proceedings issue judicial nature circumstances agree younger abstention inappropriate despite pendency review council ratemaking order nothing opinion curtails prior application younger certain administrative proceedings judicial nature see ohio civil rights dayton christian schools middlesex county ethics committee garden state bar alter prior case law indicating proceedings regarded ongoing purposes younger abstention state appellate review completed see dayton christian schools supra understanding join portion opinion holding younger abstention inappropriate agree conclusion burford abstention inappropriate facts case foreclose possibility burford abstention case like state consolidated review orders local ratemaking bodies specialized state power hear federal claim accordingly concur judgment burford abstention justice blackmun concurring judgment concur judgment case also agree take core majority reasoning posture case legislative proceeding ended council entered ratemaking order point adjudication district interfered ongoing proceeding judicial legislative ante find however majority understanding burford abstention much narrower respects relevant disposition case considerable tension discussion nature state interests burford context discussion state interests younger context compare ante ante furthermore entirely persuaded decisions applying younger abstention administrative proceedings judicial nature leave open question whether abstention must continue judicial review process ante view majority observations questions necessary result legal standard majority adopted