A federal judge has ordered the state to cover the legal costs incurred by Alaska Native and environmental groups and the federal government in litigation to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason on Tuesday ruled against the state and on Wednesday issued a one-page judgment to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the Parnell administration last year in federal court.
Gleason also directed that the Gwich'in Steering Committee, environmental groups and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell "recover costs from the plaintiff, state of Alaska."
The state has not said whether it will appeal.