00:00Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is stepping away from a major climate change case just one
00:05week before the justices are set to hear it. The court announced Alito's recusal Monday but didn't
00:11say why. The letter is just one line saying Alito, quote, has determined that he will not continue
00:17to participate in this case. The case pits ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy against Boulder,
00:23Colorado. Boulder sued the companies in 2018, accusing them of contributing to climate change
00:29while concealing or misrepresenting the dangers of fossil fuels. The city and county are seeking
00:34billions of dollars in damages. Alito does not own stock in Exxon or Suncor, according to CBS,
00:41but his 2025 financial disclosure shows investments in two other energy companies,
00:47ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66. In May, a coalition of left-leaning watchdog groups urged the Senate
00:53Judiciary Committee to investigate Alito's involvement in this case, citing his oil and
00:58gas holdings. At the time, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said Alito had no financial interest in any party
01:05and had been advised by the court's legal counsel that recusal was not required. The court is still
01:11set to hear arguments next Monday, the first day of its new term.
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