Alito recuses himself from Supreme Court climate case involving Boulder
publishers 25articles 28first reported 28 Sep, 18:06 UTCdeveloping since 29 Sep · 8 editions
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate case involving Boulder, Colorado, days before the court is scheduled to hear arguments.
A letter from the court’s clerk said Alito had “determined that he will not continue to participate in this case,” without explaining why. In an interview Wednesday, Alito called the decision a “difficult judgment call” and said stepping aside was prudent even though the court’s legal office had concluded that recusal was not required, Bloomberg reported.
The case concerns whether the city and county of Boulder may pursue state-law claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy over costs attributed to climate change, or whether those claims are preempted by federal law and constitutional separation-of-powers principles. The companies, supported by the Trump administration, appealed to the Supreme Court after arguing that state courts are not the proper venue for litigation over the global effects of climate change.
Environmental and watchdog groups had urged Alito to withdraw because his financial disclosures showed holdings in other oil companies, including ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66. He does not own shares in Exxon or Suncor. Earlier in the year, a court spokesperson said Alito had no financial interest in the parties and was not required to recuse himself.
The Boulder lawsuit is one of dozens brought by state and local governments seeking damages from fossil-fuel companies over alleged climate-related costs and claims that the industry misled the public about the risks of its products.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 48 h after the record first saw the story; the editor revised it.
- Publishers
- 25
- Source articles
- 28
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 48 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- revised
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and changed it before publication. Struck words were in the draft; underlined words are its corrections.
WHAT IT FLAGGED editor revise: Remove the unsupported implication that the clerk’s letter later gave a reason. - "A letter from the court’s clerk said Alito had “determined that he will not continue to participate in this case,” without initially explaining why.": The source says the court announced the recusal without explanation; “initially” misleadingly implies a later official explanation in the letter or announcement.
THE DRAFT AND THE CHANGES
Alito recuses himself from Supreme Court climate case involving Boulder
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate case involving Boulder, Colorado, days before the court is scheduled to hear arguments.
A letter from the court’s clerk said Alito had “determined that he will not continue to participate in this case,” without initially explaining why. In an interview Wednesday, Alito called the decision a “difficult judgment call” and said stepping aside was prudent even though the court’s legal office had concluded that recusal was not required, Bloomberg reported.
The case concerns whether the city and county of Boulder may pursue state-law claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy over costs attributed to climate change, or whether those claims are preempted by federal law and constitutional separation-of-powers principles. The companies, supported by the Trump administration, appealed to the Supreme Court after arguing that state courts are not the proper venue for litigation over the global effects of climate change.
Environmental and watchdog groups had urged Alito to withdraw because his financial disclosures showed holdings in other oil companies, including ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66. He does not own shares in Exxon or Suncor. Earlier in the year, a court spokesperson said Alito had no financial interest in the parties and was not required to recuse himself.
The Boulder lawsuit is one of dozens brought by state and local governments seeking damages from fossil-fuel companies over alleged climate-related costs and claims that the industry misled the public about the risks of its products.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →