Justice Alito makes last-minute decision to sit out climate change case
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito poses for an official portrait Oct. 7, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito announced Monday that he is stepping back from a major climate dispute just a week before the high court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case.
The one-sentence statement from the clerk of the Supreme Court does not provide a reason for Alito’s recusal. The justice owns stock in two oil companies and flew on the private jet of an investor in a company involved in the case.
Alito had faced increased pressure from environmental advocacy groups to recuse himself, according to coverage by the New York Times and Law360.
The dispute involves Colorado localities seeking damages from oil companies over climate change.
The case, Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, is set to be heard Oct. 5, the first day of court’s new term.
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