Justice Neil Gorsuch of the U.S. Supreme Court has stepped away from a significant environmental case involving a proposed oil train in Utah, after facing pressure regarding his connections to a longtime ally. His recusal comes as various environmental groups criticize the planned railway in the Uinta Basin. The case is poised to potentially redefine federal environmental reviews, possibly narrowing their scope and reducing the emphasis on climate change impacts. This decision by Gorsuch raises questions about the ethics surrounding the case, especially as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments that could have far-reaching consequences for environmental policy.