1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Still Causing Problems
Oil spilled 17 years ago by the tanker Exxon Valdez still threatens wildlife around Alaska’s Prince William Sound, scientists reported on Tuesday, a finding that could add $100 million to cleanup costs for Exxon Mobil Corp.ExxonMobil has already paid $900 million to help recovery from the 1989 spill, the worst in U.S. history.
But the state of Alaska and the U.S. government could ask for up to $100 million more if they can show there is substantial, continuing environmental damage caused by the spill, and that the damage could not have been anticipated when a settlement with Exxon was signed in 1991.
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A study by researchers at the National Marine Fisheries Service in Juneau, Alaska, indicates about six miles of shoreline around Prince William Sound is still affected by the spill, with 100 tons (101.6 tonnes) of oil remaining in the area.
Mark Boudreaux, a spokesman for ExxonMobil, questioned the study’s findings, and noted the oil company had previously responded to this research, which was based on field work done in 2003. Exxon and Mobil merged in 1999.
“We disagree with their conclusions,” Boudreaux said by telephone from Irving, Texas. “We’ve done 350 peer-reviewed studies of Prince William Sound, and those studies conclude that Prince William Sound has recovered, it’s healthy and it’s thriving.”
The study, which is to appear in the June 15 print edition of the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology, said oil from the Exxon Valdez remains on shorelines of Prince William Sound.
Read more on this story from Reuters
Hard to believe that Exxon who is making record profits cannot afford to continue helping with meaningful cleanup. I would love to see some of that 2005 36.6 billion in record profits being used to continue working on solutions to the many problems the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill caused. With first quarter profits of 8.4 billion in 2006 I would think Exxon could handle helping correct issues they caused to our environment.
May 17th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
My family run an animal rescue website as a hobby project, and I gotta tell you, I’m outraged that the gas companies - who make such a profit - can’t be bothered to clean up after themselves.
Can you tell us whose the most environmentally friendly gas company at the moment, I think I gonna do my part to support the ones with a little bit of respect for the planet we live on!
May 18th, 2006 at 12:16 am
That’s admirable. Most people love animals so that is a great idea and if you can get enough attention to your cause… you just might be able to make a difference.
As for the best oil company? I would think that is like asking which politician is most honest…. not sure if there is an oil company I trust more then the other. If anyone else has an opinion on this.. Please share it.