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    Judge makes ruling in Exxon Valdez case

    By BECKY BOHRER | Associated Press – Wed, Feb 15, 2012

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday refused Exxon Mobil Corp.'s request that he declare government efforts to seek additional cleanup funds related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill a violation of a consent decree.

    U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland, in a written order, said the federal and state governments haven't formally presented any claims. He said the possibility that they might doesn't create any hardships for Exxon.

    The matter stems from the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which resulted in 11 million gallons of oil being spilled into Prince William Sound.

    Lawsuits brought against Exxon by the governments led to a $900 million settlement and 1991 consent decree that resolved claims related to natural resource damages. But the decree included what's known as a "reopener" clause that would allow the governments to seek additional work for restoration projects.

    Attorneys for Exxon, in a court filing last year, said the consent decree released the company from further financial obligations related to clean-up work. They said the governments in 2006 demanded payment of $92 million, in line with the reopener clause, for "nothing more than a plan to resurrect the clean-up of the oil spill that was declared complete by the governments" years earlier.

    Despite filing a claim with Exxon, the governments still must file with the court to enforce the claim, and they haven't taken that step yet, said Seth Beausang, an assistant attorney general for the state.

    He said studies are being conducted and others being considered, to determine the feasibility of doing additional restoration work in Prince William Sound.

    Holland urged all parties to resolve the matter quickly themselves if possible.

    But "at this juncture, it really is up to the Governments to decide what they want to do, and simply waiting out the Governments imposes no particular hardship on Exxon," the judge wrote.

     

    24 comments

    • SucMucDuc
      SucMucDuc  •  3 mths ago
      #$%$ you EXXON!
    • Jess
      Jess  •  3 mths ago
      Many fishermen already passed away and never saw a single cent from Exxon !
    • RJ
      RJ  •  Austin, Texas  •  3 mths ago
      I can't really feel sorry for Exxon. They were the ones responsible for the pipeline not being extended into the US because they figured they could make more money transporting the oil by ships which they owned regardless of the price for the oil being transported. They were right on the economics but neglected to consider the consequences of the type of disaster that did occur which would not have happened if the pipeline had been constructed into the lower 48. Short sighted benefit. The old saying, "Act in haste, repent at leisure" has new meaning. Short sighted profit is not always the best idea.
    • Edward Faust
      Edward Faust  •  3 mths ago
      I hate Exxon over the Valdez oil spill. What a terrible disaster. And they haven't paid much for it. People are still waiting decades later.
    • Alaska
      Alaska  •  3 mths ago
      Wow, $92 million huh? Considering oil companies make BILLIONS every quarter, it's hard to feel sorry for companies that rape and pillage the earth. And with reports that gas prices will be going up...the greedy corporate pigs have decided BILLIONS of dollars aren't enough every 3 months. I wonder what they will buy with all that money....(oh yeah) your politicians!

      When all the trees have been cut down,
      when all the animals have been hunted,
      when all the waters are polluted
      when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
      only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
      • Dick
        Dick 3 mths ago
        Excellent, especially the final paragraph.
    • Lou
      Lou  •  Gainesville, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      Gas companies are drilling less to keep the prices high and oil corporations are making billions a month but the government gives them subsidies for more exploration.
      I tell you what, no clean up, no subsidies. Seams fair enough for now.
    • Philip
      Philip  •  Santa Clara, California  •  3 mths ago
      This will really cheese off Sarah Palin since she let Exxon off the hook for billions ,even though her husband is a fisherman.
      • Duffer
        Duffer 3 mths ago
        It has long been rumored that Palin got her personal payoff from Exxon in off-shore accounts.
    • Lou
      Lou  •  Gainesville, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      We should revisit a few other laws while we change the bench.
      The only goor republican is a republican out of public office.
      Let them make money and jobs but keep them away from our policies and laws.
    • Lou
      Lou  •  Gainesville, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      Then we can vote folks that will hold us more at heart than corporations.
      We definately want term limits for all.
      Let's end the Supreme courts monopoly on law. Corporations are not people.
    • Lou
      Lou  •  Gainesville, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      Oh I forgot that the republicans to a man have been bought and sold by oil.
      Many a Democrat too. Tell you what, let's start by voting all republicans out and then we can go after the corrupted Democrats that refuse to stop the oil winfall.
    • A Yahoo User
      A Yahoo User  •  3 mths ago
      It was 23 years ago and it is still in court. One of these days they will reach a verdict. Probably 50 years from now. And the verdict will be "the victims are dead and do not deserve a payout."
    • Juvi
      Juvi  •  Los Angeles, California  •  3 mths ago
      You morons that keep blaming Exxon and oil companies remember that your fuel hungry gas guzzlers are causing the demand. It's also keeping us in the Middle East. Oil companies only make 7 cents per gallon. The Government gets 18.6 cents per gallon and states can charge as much as 30-60cents per gallon.. bad greedy oil companies
      • j
        j 3 mths ago
        Say what you want the oil companies are the wealthiest corporations in the history of corporations. You can spin but you cannot change the truth.
    • bil
      bil  •  Monroeville, Pennsylvania  •  3 mths ago
      exxon makes $112 million a DAY, in profit. all on the backs of hard working americans.
    • rusk1955
      rusk1955  •  3 mths ago
      This case has a longer life span than the people who were involved in starting it.
    • Mr Vice President
      Mr Vice President  •  3 mths ago
      It's Obama's fault
    • Kevin
      Kevin  •  Albuquerque, New Mexico  •  3 mths ago
      Pathetic! I saw a special on the spill and it made me sick. Between what was awarded,and what they paid equaled to like a months interest. The lives it ruined is the definetion tragedy.
    • S.
      S.  •  3 mths ago
      THIS JUST IN:

      THE BRITISH ARE COMING!!!
    • John Q. Public
      John Q. Public  •  3 mths ago
      _THIS_ is how things should be! We need to let the courts decide whether or not something has gone wrong, not government and its needless regulations!

      Ron Paul 2012!
      • Duffer
        Duffer 3 mths ago
        That's right! Who needs clean air and water? Why can't companies put chemicals in baby food? We know banks are honest and don't need rules! All those pesky regulations just keep us Republicans from making more MONEY! What's wrong with you people, anyhow?
        Ron Paul not in this lifetime!
    • Ace01
      Ace01  •  3 mths ago
      I agree the only good Republican is a dead one. They are the rear kissers of these corporations and have been fostering and pampering this type of conduct for they are in the deep pockets of the devil's children, things like Exxon and the rats that run it. I would not call them people, just immoral disgusting wealthy things on two legs.
      • j
        j 3 mths ago
        I agree. These folks are neo-fascist corporate collaborators. They are truly the #$%$ of the earth.
    • Suit of Flames
      Suit of Flames  •  3 mths ago
      Boo! Oil companies are villains....I say as I fill up my SUV with gas and drive 20,000 miles per year
     Post a comment
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