Record heat is hastening the dissolution of Siberian permafrost, perennially frozen ground that, when thawed, unleashes greenhouse gases and dramatically destabilizes the land.
The lawsuit, filed by the Justice Department, seeks millions in unpaid environmental fines as Gov. Jim Justice begins his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
About half of the island remains without water, and about 65% is without power. It may be weeks until the utilities are fully restored, local authorities said.
In what could be a glimpse of the future as climate change batters the West, officials ruled there’s not enough groundwater for projects already approved.
