US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recused himself on Monday from a major climate change case. The decision follows calls for him to step aside due to his stock holdings in oil companies.
A letter posted in the case stated, “Justice Alito has determined that he will not continue to participate in this case,” but did not specify a reason. Justice Alito has previously recused himself from other cases involving companies in which he holds stock.
The recusal comes shortly before the court is due to hear a case filed by local officials in Boulder, Colorado, against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil. This case is one of many similar lawsuits alleging that companies misled the public about the contribution of fossil fuels to climate change, with potential damages amounting to billions of dollars.
The high court had agreed to hear an appeal from the energy companies, which are backed by the Trump administration. The companies argue that the lawsuits pose a serious threat to the industry and that state courts are not the appropriate venue for addressing the global issue of climate change.
According to his disclosures, Justice Alito does not own stock in Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil but does have holdings in other oil companies, including ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66. Consumer Watchdog, a group, suggested that this could mean he might indirectly benefit from a decision favouring the industry. Alexandra Nagy, the group's organising director, stated that Justice Alito's recusal was "the right decision, and one he should have made from the start," referencing the court's code of ethics which advises recusal if a justice or their family has a "subject matter or controversy."