Story perspectives

Alito Recuses From Climate Case, Risks 4-4 Tie

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 11:55 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the climate-change case Suncor Energy v. Boulder County.
Clerk Scott Harris sent the recusal notice on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Alito owned stock in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 but not in Exxon Mobil or Suncor.
Environmental groups and Consumer Watchdog urged Alito to recuse, citing a conflict.
Alito’s recusal raises the chance of a 4-4 split, likely leaving the lower court ruling intact.

History

Historical Context

Bush v. Gore, decided on December 12 2000 by a 5-4 split, halted Florida’s recount and secured George W. Bush’s 271-electoral-vote victory. That episode showed how a single justice can tip national outcomes. On September 28 2026 Justice Samuel Alito’s recusal in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County produced a 4-4 deadlock, leaving the Court’s existing climate-regulation precedent in place.

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Story summary

Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the climate-change case Suncor Energy v. Boulder County.
Clerk Scott Harris sent the recusal notice on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Alito owned stock in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 but not in Exxon Mobil or Suncor.
Environmental groups and Consumer Watchdog urged Alito to recuse, citing a conflict.
Alito’s recusal raises the chance of a 4-4 split, likely leaving the lower court ruling intact.

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