BP Oil Disaster Trial Set for Today
Posted February 25, 2013 07:28 am | Public News Service
NEW
ORLEANS - Billions of dollars and the health of
Florida's Gulf Coast are on the line as the civil trial
against BP begins today in New Orleans.
Based on provisions in the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Act, the company could be ordered to pay $40 billion in damages.
Brian Moore, legislative director for the National Audubon Society, says it's important to make sure there are enough resources to repair the damage done to the Gulf now and in the future.
Link:
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National Wildlife Federation: How Does the BP Oil Spill
Impact Wildlife and Habitat
"We believe this is a living disaster and we still
don't know the full environmental impacts," he says.
"And there's a single rule that we all should be
reminded of - we've seen it posted in stores, which is
'You broke it, you've bought it,' and this is a broken
ecosystem."
The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 leaked an
estimated 170 million gallons of oil into the Gulf,
making it the largest environmental disaster in the
country's history.
Attorneys from both sides had hoped to settle the case
this week.
John Kostyack, vice president of Wildlife Conservation
for the National Wildlife Federation, says he and other
conservation groups understand it's important to secure
the money from BP to fully begin the restoration
process.
"The Department of Justice has a responsibility to set a
penalty amount that factors in BP's assets," he says,
"and the risk that they will continue business as usual
if their bottom-line is not affected by any settlement."
Because of the Restore Act, passed and signed into law
last year, 80 percent of the funds collected from BP
will go to the restoration and health of the Gulf Coast,
but those funds are on hold until the remaining cases
are resolved. Federal investigators said efforts by BP
to cut down on costs and save time lead to the oil
spill.
Links and photos added by the Observer
Image: International Bird Rescue