Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has reportedly earned up to $2.9 million from fossil fuel interests as he prepares to vote on a case regarding whether oil companies should be held financially accountable for the impacts of climate change. An analysis of financial disclosures indicates that Alito earned nearly $400,000 from oil and gas interests between 2005 and 2024. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case involving oil companies Suncor Energy and Exxon, which are seeking a ruling to protect themselves from climate-related lawsuits brought by state and local governments.
Supreme Court ethics rules require justices to recuse themselves from cases involving companies in which they hold stock. However, Alito is not required to recuse himself in this instance as his holdings do not include Suncor and Exxon. Lisa Graves, co-founder of Court Accountability and author of the analysis, expressed concerns about Alito's ability to remain impartial in cases involving fossil fuel interests.
Alito has previously voted in favor of fossil fuel interests, including a recent decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine, which affects the ability of agencies to defend environmental regulations. His net worth has increased significantly during his tenure on the Court, rising from approximately $1.1 million in 2005 to between $3.4 million and $8.4 million by 2024, with a portion of that growth attributed to oil and gas holdings linked to a mineral interest held by his wife in Oklahoma.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearing arguments on this matter on October 5.