{"id":7359,"date":"2021-01-12T21:53:46","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T21:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiofree.org\/?p=149241"},"modified":"2021-01-12T21:53:46","modified_gmt":"2021-01-12T21:53:46","slug":"with-deep-fossil-fuel-ties-justice-barrett-called-to-recuse-herself-from-pending-climate-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/01\/12\/with-deep-fossil-fuel-ties-justice-barrett-called-to-recuse-herself-from-pending-climate-case\/","title":{"rendered":"With Deep Fossil Fuel Ties, Justice Barrett Called to Recuse Herself From Pending Climate Case"},"content":{"rendered":"
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett\u2014confirmed just ahead of President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in November\u2014is being called to recuse herself from an upcoming decision regarding a potentially landmark climate case now pending.<\/p>\n
“Given Justice Barrett’s deep family connections to Shell Oil, and prior recusals from Shell cases, she must do the right thing and recuse herself from this case.” The case<\/a> in question\u2014officially docketed as Mayor and City Council of Baltimore v. BP P.L.C. et al.<\/em>\u2014is a suit by Maryland’s largest city about the overt and knowing climate damage committed by oil giants BP, Exxon, Chevron, and Shell\u2014the last of which employed Justice Barrett’s father, Michael Coney, as senior attorney for decades.<\/p>\n Climate action groups like 350.org and the Center for Climate Integrity noted Tuesday that a notice in the case from last week indicated Justice Samuel Alito has already recused himself due to financial holdings he has in the fossil fuel industry, but Barrett’s name was not mentioned\u2014raising the possibility that she could, despite the clear conflict of interest, participate in a procedural hearing related to case scheduled for January 19.<\/p>\n The Supreme Court will hear procedural arguments next week in Baltimore’s climate damages lawsuit against BP, Exxon, Shell and other oil giants. <\/p>\n Will Justice Barrett, whose father was a Shell attorney for decades, recuse herself from the case?https:\/\/t.co\/ApO9aVRw7J<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014Richard Wiles, Center for Climate Integrity<\/span>“Barrett posing as an impartial judge in this hearing for climate accountability is about as safe as the Big Bad Wolf giving Little Red Riding Hood directions to Grandma’s house,” said Lindsay Meiman, U.S. communications manager at the climate action group 350.org. “We demand Barrett immediately recuse herself of any and all cases concerning climate and the fossil fuel industry, starting with the upcoming Baltimore vs. Big Oil hearing.”<\/p>\n\n