Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has abruptly reversed course and will now sit out a major climate case just days before the high court opens its new term.
Alito will not participate when the justices hear Suncor Energy v. Boulder County on Oct. 5 — the first case scheduled for oral arguments this term.
“Justice Alito has determined that he will not continue to participate in this case,” a letter sent to lawyers involved in the case said, according to NBC News.
Senior Supreme Court reporter Lawrence Hurley called the development Monday a “major u-turn.”
“Previously, the court told NBC News there was no reason for him to step aside despite his earlier recusal in the same case,” Hurley wrote on X.
Left-leaning groups placed pressure on Alito to recuse himself because he owns stock in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66, along with other companies in the energy sector, NBC News reported. The case involves an effort by Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy to throw out a Colorado lawsuit seeking damages from the companies over the impacts of climate change.
Alito’s absence could have a significant impact on the case, according to NBC News.
“The court has a 6-3 conservative majority,” the network noted. “With Alito stepping aside, it raises the possibility of a 4-4 split, which would leave the major legal issues unresolved.”
No reason was given for Alito’s decision in the short, one-sentence statement released Monday.
Major u-turn from Justice Alito as Supreme Court reveals he will no longer participate in the big climate change case being argued next week. Previously, the court told NBC News there was no reason for him to step aside despite his earlier recusal in same case. pic.twitter.com/TIT4RpJ0wM
— Lawrence Hurley (@lawrencehurley) September 28, 2026