In the case of Columbia Gas & Electric Corp. v. American Fuel & Power Co., et al., 1943, the U.S Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether a natural gas company could be compelled to sell its product in interstate commerce against its will under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). The court ruled that while Congress has broad powers to regulate interstate commerce, it does not have unlimited power and cannot compel an unwilling party into such transactions if they do not wish to engage in them. In this context, Columbia Gas & Electric Corporation had no obligation under NGA's provisions to sell their surplus gas supplies for resale by other companies involved in interstate commerce activities.

In the dissenting opinion for Columbia Gas & Electric Corp. v. American Fuel & Power Co., it was argued that the majority's decision to allow a state commission to regulate interstate commerce contradicted previous rulings and threatened federal supremacy over such matters. The dissenting justices believed that allowing states to control rates of natural gas companies would lead to inconsistencies, as each state could set its own standards and prices, potentially disrupting national markets. They also pointed out that this ruling might encourage other industries involved in interstate commerce to seek similar exemptions from federal regulation, further undermining the authority of Congress in these areas. Therefore, they disagreed with the majority's interpretation of both constitutional law and precedent on this issue.