Due to the press of other news, PNG belatedly reports that the trial of British Petroleum in a New Orleans federal courtroom for the Deepwater Horizon disaster ended on Monday, February 2nd. The historic admiralty trial before Judge Carl Barbier came near the fifth anniversary of the biggest oil spill disaster in United States history. The trial was complex and accomplished in three phases that began two years ago. At one point the Judge told attorneys, "I'm not trying to cut you off, but a lot of this I've heard already." He concluded that BP spilled 3.19 million barrels of crude oil that severely damaged Gulf Coast ecosystems. {17.01.15, Judge Gives BP $4 Billion Brake} The amount is significantly less than the government estimated. It is seeking the maximum fine of $4300 per barrel, based on the ruling the company was grossly negligent. Judge Barbier has implied he may ask the company, which is pleading inability to pay a large fine in addition to more than $40 billion in related costs, to pay a fine in installments. He ruled BP could pay a maximum civil fine of $4300/barrel under the Clean Water Act in response to BP's motion to cap the fine at $3000/barrel, the maximum in 1990. His decision on the total penalty is expected in the coming months.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
BP Trial Finally Ends
Due to the press of other news, PNG belatedly reports that the trial of British Petroleum in a New Orleans federal courtroom for the Deepwater Horizon disaster ended on Monday, February 2nd. The historic admiralty trial before Judge Carl Barbier came near the fifth anniversary of the biggest oil spill disaster in United States history. The trial was complex and accomplished in three phases that began two years ago. At one point the Judge told attorneys, "I'm not trying to cut you off, but a lot of this I've heard already." He concluded that BP spilled 3.19 million barrels of crude oil that severely damaged Gulf Coast ecosystems. {17.01.15, Judge Gives BP $4 Billion Brake} The amount is significantly less than the government estimated. It is seeking the maximum fine of $4300 per barrel, based on the ruling the company was grossly negligent. Judge Barbier has implied he may ask the company, which is pleading inability to pay a large fine in addition to more than $40 billion in related costs, to pay a fine in installments. He ruled BP could pay a maximum civil fine of $4300/barrel under the Clean Water Act in response to BP's motion to cap the fine at $3000/barrel, the maximum in 1990. His decision on the total penalty is expected in the coming months.