http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-spill-litigation-20120222,0,6311035.story
Nearly two years ago, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig spilled 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Now, the guilty parties are finally starting to pay for it. The largest oil spill in history has turned into this country's largest lawsuit. One hundred and twenty thousand plaintiffs are acting together in a conglomerated suit. Individuals, corporations, and state governments are standing with the Justice Department against BP and demanding that the petroleum megacorporation pays for what they consider gross negligence. BP stands to lose a possible seventeen billion dollars- a huge blow, considering that BP has earned an annual average of 22.74 billion over the last five fiscal years (Source). This comes on top of their fund for victims that is worth 20 billion dollars. They may choose to settle; however, the amount that this would entail has not been disclosed yet, as the trial date was just announced. Other companies who had invested in the well are also being forced to make reparations. MOEX Offshore, who had a ten percent investment in the well, took a settlement of ninety million dollars to be split between the gulf states, while Transocean and Anadarko, two other companies involved with the well and rig, may be held liable as well. After two years of uncertainty and lost revenue, the states affected by the oil spill may finally see justice- and will certainly see some money.
This is important for a variety of reasons. Not only is it the biggest environmental lawsuit in history, it is the biggest lawsuit period. It transcends issues of race, class, gender, and other social stratifications due to its sheer size. Typically, in cases of environmental justice, we see that people without a voice are the ones on plaintiff side. But corporations and state governments are teaming up with the disenfranchised fishermen and unemployed oil workers, united against a common enemy. It will be interesting to see how this case goes. If the suit is successful or if the pressures on BP to settle are met, it might bring about a new era of corporate safety and concern for the environment.
This is a really interesting post, because you show how environmental issues have the capacity to move beyond the narrow scope of environment and resources. In effect, the oil spill and subsequent lawsuit touched and will touch the lives of millions in the affected states and cities financially, socially, politically, and personally. Also, your article highlights the particular nature of environmental problems as having short, medium, and long-term effects. Though this article touches on primarily the economic and more long-term effects of the oil spill, it also shows how once “long-term” effects (the lawsuit) will become relevant in the short-term, as those responsible may soon be forced to pay up.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that this trial is extremely important. Hopefully, because of this event with BP, other big corporations will begin to seriously consider the potential environmental risks and impacts of their practices. Obviously the trial is necessary to determine if and to what extent BP should be held accountable for the damage the oil spill has caused. However, I think the key issue here is that of justice, and the success of our legal system of attaining it for those who need it. The BP oil spill has had major effects on the Gulf Coast, with numerous environmental, economic, and social repercussions, especially many of which have yet to be seen as they may not fully manifest themselves for years.
ReplyDeleteAlso, hopefully the justice being sought from the 120,000 plaintiffs against BP will inspire others who have been the victims of environmental injustices to seek similar compensation for damages, as well as raise awareness that this issue is, essentially, an issue of justice.