Alito Recuses Himself From Big SCOTUS Climate Liability Case

Justice Samuel Alito is stepping away from a blockbuster climate case just days before arguments begin, the New York Times reports. The Supreme Court revealed Monday that Alito will not participate in Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, a lawsuit that could open the door to billions in climate-related claims against oil companies and influence dozens of similar cases. No explanation was given, but Alito has been under pressure to bow out due to his holdings in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 and his ties to hedge fund founder Paul Singer, whose firm has invested in Suncor.

Ethics experts say the outcome could broadly affect oil company interests, and the high court's code of ethics applies to instances in which a case's outcome could affect a justice's financial interests. Watchdog groups have noted that a decision in favor of Suncor could ultimately benefit Alito, the AP reports. Politico notes that the companies in which he does have holdings are named in many of the other cases that will be influenced by this one. Reform advocates welcomed the recusal but criticized the timing and the court's silence on why it was made.