According to CNBC, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate-change case the Supreme Court is set to hear next week involving Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy. The case, Suncor Energy (USA) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, centers on whether federal law blocks state-law claims seeking damages for injuries allegedly caused by climate change from greenhouse gas emissions. Alito had previously declined to step aside, and his recusal raises the possibility of a 4-4 split that would leave the lower-court ruling in place. The case is set to be argued on Oct. 5.