Alito Recuses From Suncor Climate Case, Leaving 8 Justices Before Oct. 5 Arguments
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 2
Alito Recuses From Suncor Climate Case, Leaving 8 Justices Before Oct. 5 Arguments
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 2
Summary
Samuel Alito withdrew on Sept. 28 from Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a major Supreme Court climate-liability case set for oral argument on Oct. 5.
Scott Harris, the court clerk, said Alito "will not continue to participate"; the move followed criticism over Alito's financial interests in energy companies, even though the court had said he held no stake in any party.
The recusal leaves 8 justices in a case challengers expected to be close, raising the risk of a 4-4 split that would leave the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling for Boulder County in place.
That ruling allowed nuisance and related claims against energy companies to proceed, a path that could expose the industry to thousands of climate-change lawsuits.
The episode has renewed scrutiny of Supreme Court ethics rules because justices disclose investments under the 1978 Ethics in Government Act but are not required to use blind trusts.