Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a pivotal climate-change case that the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on October 5. This case, Suncor Energy (USA) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, revolves around whether federal law prevents state law claims for damages related to climate change.
Environmental groups had previously urged Alito to step aside due to his stock holdings in oil companies, a request he initially rejected. His recusal raises the possibility of a 4-4 split among the justices, which would leave the lower court's ruling intact.
The Colorado state Supreme Court had allowed the lawsuit from Boulder and its county to proceed to trial after a lower court denied motions to dismiss from Exxon and Suncor. A ruling against the oil companies would allow the case to advance, potentially setting a precedent for future climate litigation