You could read any of the 4 briefs in opposition where the Attorney Generals spell out exactly what must be satisfied and how Texas did not adequately address. Again, from the very beginning, many law professors and legal pundits kepts saying there were too many defects in the complaint and the case would be tossed on lack of standing. SCOTUS basically accepted the case (to keep the “cannot turn down”) and immediately tossed it on lack of standing.
Sorry... they are wrong. Disputes between states brought directly to SCOTUS are given standing automatically. The SCOTUS cannot deny the dispute and must hear the case on it’s merits.
The 4 vote SCOTUS rule is procedural doctrine. It does not have relevance in this situation.
The states have a right of redress before SCOTUS for the simple fact they are participating member sovereigns joined by contract of voluntary act... and need not prove standing in the pursuit of constitutional adjudication in the eyes of SCOTUS where the issue is national in its argument. SCOTUS has no authority to deny action to judge.