The Bush administration urged the court to affirm the district court's decision.
But presumably the panel would urge the court in that direction only if the city were following its plan.
Alabama and 11 other states filed a brief urging the court to take the case.
It also urges the court to require the company to make its records public.
The administration had vigorously urged the court not to hear the case.
But in its legal papers, the government urged the court to stay out.
He urged the court to "tread very carefully" before coming to a decision.
But some war victims are urging the international court to back off.
They urged the court not to interfere with new technology forms and markets.
Senators from both parties have urged the court to make a serious effort to produce greater consensus.