Alaska and Hawaii

"The biggest state in America, home to more ocean coastline than all others combined, has just set another record. This one, however, is nothing to cheer."

"FAIRBANKS -- The city of North Pole [AK] filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the two most recent owners of the oil refinery within its borders over sulfolane contamination that has spread into residents' groundwater."

"HONOLULU — A Hawaii County law restricting genetically engineered crops is invalid, a federal judge said in an order issued Wednesday."

"A federal judge blocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from taking action against a massive proposed mine in Alaska."

"Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s ascent to the top of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee is likely to reignite the decades-old debate over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)."

"Two years ago, in a preemptive move, Shell sued a host of environmental and advocacy groups to prevent them from suing Shell over its plans to drill for oil in the Arctic. On Wednesday, a federal appeals court called Shell's legal strategy 'novel' and ruled it unconstitutional."

"Alaska voters approved a ballot measure aimed at adding a hurdle to the potential development of a major copper and gold mine."

"The vast marshes on the southwestern tip of the Alaskan peninsula must look like a buffet to a seagrass-loving goose like the Pacific black brant."

"Royal Dutch Shell Plc is asking the Obama administration for five more years to explore for oil off Alaska’s coast, saying set backs and legal delays may push the start of drilling past the 2017 expiration of some leases."

"HONOLULU — Hawaii officials will make arrangements for those living in the path of a lava flow to watch the destruction of their homes.

That accommodation is being made to 'provide for a means of closure,' Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Monday. 'You can only imagine the frustration as well as ... despair they're going through.'

Dozens of residents have been told they might have to evacuate as lava from Kilauea heads toward their homes."