Summary:  Royal Dutch Shell announced it will suspend all activity in the Arctic for 2013. The oil giant endured many embarrassing and costly accidents while drilling exploratory wells off the north coast of Alaska in 2012. Both of the Arctic drill rigs will be traveling to Asia for repairs sustained during the severe weather common to the Arctic.

“Shell did the only thing it could do … suspend Arctic drilling and halt operations for oil exploration this summer,” said Earthjustice president Trip Van Noppen. “Whether it was the Kulluk’s grounding, the problems both drilling operations had with Arctic weather and ice, and the total failure of their oil spill containment system, Shell’s drilling effort last summer demonstrated with vivid clarity that the oil industry is not ready to drill safely in the Arctic Ocean.”

  Full Article:  http://summitcountyvoice.com/2013/02/27/shell-to-pause-arctic-offshore-drilling-program/"

  Summary:  American Electric Power will shut down three coal plants in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky by 2015 as a result of legal action taken by Earthjustice and others. In addition to retiring these plants, the company will invest in new wind and solar projects and install updated pollution controls at remaining plants.

Said Earthjustice attorney Shannon Fisk, “We’re glad AEP is going to retire these aging dinosaurs, and urge the company to ensure an equitable transition for the workers and communities most directly impacted by these retirements.”

  Full Article:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/aep-agrees-to-close-3-coal-plants-in-emissions-lawsuit/2013/02/25/a11f1a96-7f5d-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html"

  Summary:  California’s Winnemem Wintu Tribe has voiced its strong opposition to the approval of genetically modified salmon for the state’s waterways. The FDA’s plan to introduce salmon modified with a growth hormone, alongside Governor Brown’s proposal to expand the Shasta Dam, would pose a serious threat to native fish species.

“FDA's narrow analysis fails to seriously consider the risks these genetically engineered fish could pose to our natural environment," said Earthjustice attorney Khushi Desai. "If these fish mix with wild salmon, the ecological harm could be devastating. This genetically engineered fish puts the entire US salmon industry at risk, and most importantly it could threaten the very survival of our native salmon populations."

  Full Article:  http://intercontinentalcry.org/winnemem-wintu-chief-says-frankenfish-must-be-stopped/"

  Summary:  Arizona’s three major power plants dump approximately 9 million pounds of toxic coal ash, barium, and arsenic per year into landfills. These landfills, which are lined only with clay, sit above groundwater sources, threatening their contamination. Earthjustice is pushing for the EPA to classify coal ash as a hazardous waste, require the installation of plastic liners in new landfills, and enforce groundwater-monitoring programs at these sites. Although operators insist they are secure, disposal sites in similar situations nationwide have become contaminated.

Said Earthjustice attorney Lisa Evans, “Groundwater is less abundant in Arizona, and reasonable measures should be employed to protect it. Certainly plastic liners for toxic waste dumps are the most reasonable of measures."

  Full Article:  http://azstarnet.com/news/science/environment/toxic-ash-from-arizona-power-plants-called-a-potential-groundwater/article_95143319-9758-55b3-be9d-5a5a436341f6.html"