It’d be interesting to know if any of the other justices, especially the liberal ones, have stock in fossil fuels companies, because the most likely reason is Alito’s holdings
Alito recuses from major climate change case to be decided by the Supreme Court
Justice Samuel Alito will no longer participate in a major climate change case involving two large energy companies, according to a letter from the Supreme Court that was sent Monday.
The one-line letter signed by Scott Harris, the Supreme Court’s clerk, and sent to the lawyers involved in the dispute states that Alito “has determined that he will not continue to participate in this case.” No reason for Alito’s decision to sit out was provided, but it is likely because the justice has stock holdings in oil and gas companies, according to his financial disclosure report for 2025.
Alito’s decision to recuse himself comes one week before the Supreme Court will begin its new term with arguments in the dispute between Suncor Energy and Exxon Mobil and Boulder, Colorado.
The city and county of Boulder sued the two companies in Colorado state court in 2018, arguing that their conduct contributed to global climate change. The city and county say Exxon Mobil and Suncor engaged in “unchecked production, promotion, refining, marketing and sale of fossil fuels,” and concealed or misrepresented the dangers associated with fossil fuels’ intended use, leading to “unchecked fossil fuel use” that has led to a rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The mostly likely outcome is that Boulder loses, but, with Alito out, will Roberts and possibly Coney Barrett vote with the 3 liberals? Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh will vote against Boulder, Sotomayor, Kagan, and the dumb one will vote with Boulder. So, if either Roberts or Coney Barrett vote with the libs then Boulder wins due to the lower court ruling, as if the Court never heard the case.
The Supreme Court is set to weigh not only whether to block the lawsuit from moving forward in state court, but also whether it has jurisdiction to review the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision.
The outcome of the case could impact scores of similar lawsuits brought by states and localities against fossil-fuel producers alleging violations of state law. The states and local governments are seeking billions of dollars in money damages.
It could be huge in terms of whether the lawfare against fossil fuels companies (by people who won’t give up fossil fuels themselves) runs rampant.
This is the kind of case in which the fossil fuel companies should simply pull out of the state; let Coloradans survive without gasoline, diesel, and natural gas.
And risk losing billions in profits each year?
How would that help the legal case? Tobacco companies paid their money. At some point i think the fossil fuel companies will also do the same. In their own internal documents since the 70s they have admitted knowing that burning fossil fuels would cause an increase in world temps. Reagan and Margaret Thathcher both warned us in the 80s. Remember?
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