Environment | Law

Supreme Court hears Exxon Valdez oil spill case

Thursday, February 28, 2008

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in a long-running lawsuit over the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989.

Nearly 33,000 Alaska Natives, fishermen, landowners and other plaintiffs sued Exxon Mobil for environmental damage. The spill polluted 1,200 miles of the Alaskan coastline and its effects are still felt today.

At issue is a $2.5 billion judgment awarded to the plaintiffs. Exxon says the amount is far too high for an accident in which it paid $3.4 billion.

The $2.5 billion judgment itself was cut down from $5 billion by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court could end up reducing the award even further.

Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself because he owns Exxon stock. If the high court ends up in a 4-4 tie, the 9th Circuit ruling will stand.

Get the Story:
Exxon makes last pitch (The Anchorage Daily News 2/28)
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Exxon asks Supreme Court to toss out damages (The Fairbanks Daily NewS-Miner 2/28)
Justices Assess Financial Damages in Exxon Valdez Case (The Washington Post 2/28)
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Justices Take Up Battle Over Exxon Valdez Damages (The New York Times 2/28)
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9th Circuit Decision:
In re: The Exxon Valdez (May 23, 2007)

Relevant Links:
Exxon - http://www.exxon.com
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez