Judge Rules Exxon Must Face Negligence Lawsuit Over 210,000-Gallon Oil Spill
Source: Think Progress
An Arkansas federal judge on Monday refused to let ExxonMobil off the hook from a lawsuit claiming the company violated federal and state clean water laws when its Pegasus Pipeline ruptured in March 2013, spilling approximately 210,000 gallons of Canadian tar sands crude oil into the small community of Mayflower.
U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker denied the companys motion to dismiss, saying the lawsuit offered sufficient proof that ExxonMobil may have committed two violations of the Clean Water Act, two violations of Arkansas air and water regulations, and one hazardous materials violation. The lawsuit, brought by both the federal and Arkansas governments, says ExxonMobil should pay up to $4,300 per barrel of oil released a maximum of $21.5 million and up to $45,000 per day in civil penalties for violations since the spill.
Residents of Mayflower have struggled to cope with the impacts of the now-infamous spill, which saw thick, gooey tar sands oil running onto a residential street, forcing the evacuation of 22 homes. Many residents have reported suffering from dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting classic symptoms of short-term exposure to the chemicals found in crude oil up to five months after it occurred. The lingering stench was apparently so bad that Exxon offered to buy out 62 homes in the area. The company even had to tear down a few houses and bought 20 more from affected residents. On the one year anniversary, residents said they were still attempting to regain a sense of normalcy.
The state and federal governments lawsuit claims ExxonMobil may have engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct in the events leading up to the spill a claim that, if proven, could result in the maximum fines. However, Baker noted that the negligence claims wont be considered until trial.
Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/11/3447533/exxon-mayflower-ruling/
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)sulphurdunn
(6,891 posts)until the get the ruling they want.
Mr.Bill
(24,103 posts)they spend on coffee for a week at their corporate headquarters.
mountain grammy
(26,568 posts)Theyletmeeatcake2
(348 posts)wordpix
(18,652 posts)p. 6 Sun. Business section:
Cash pay: $6,883,704
+ stock awards + options: total compensation = $28,138,329
A little slap on the wrist is what this corpos will get