Justice Alito Recuses From Climate Case With Billions at Stake
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 28
Justice Alito Recuses From Climate Case With Billions at Stake
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 28
Summary
Justice Samuel Alito said Monday he will not participate in a major climate-change lawsuit set for Supreme Court arguments next week, in a one-sentence notice that gave no reason.
The recusal follows pressure from environmental and court-watchdog groups over Alito’s holdings in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 and his past private-jet trip with hedge fund manager Paul Singer, whose firm invests in Suncor.
The case could expose oil companies to billions of dollars in potential climate-damage liability and is the first matter on the court’s calendar when the justices return from their summer recess.
Supreme Court ethics rules adopted in November 2023 leave recusal decisions to individual justices and do not require them to explain why they step aside.