Supreme Court climate showdown jolted by Alito's last-minute decision

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from a closely watched case over climate change liability less than a week before oral arguments were scheduled to begin.

Scott Harris, the clerk of the Supreme Court, informed the parties' lawyers in a letter Monday that Alito had recused himself from Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County without providing an explanation.

"Justice Alito does not take his duty to sit lightly. We do not know why he recused himself...