Markey Statement on Obama Administration's Gulf Oil Spill Lawsuit

Statement

Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today released the following statement in response to the announcement by the Obama administration's Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency that they will be seeking damages from the parties responsible for this summer's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico:

"This is first shot across the bow from the Obama administration to hold legally accountable BP and the other companies involved in this disaster for their reckless actions.

"As we've seen recently with BP's challenging of the flow rate determinations from their blown-out Macondo well, BP is already taking an aggressive stance to limit their own liability.

"It may have taken these companies months to cap their well, but they will spend years trying to cap their financial obligations to the people of the Gulf. That is why it is vital for the Obama administration to swiftly advance this legal action.

"According to the lawsuit, BP has waived its right to limit to 75 million dollars any damages that go beyond the cost of removing the oil from the Gulf. The House passed a bill that would eliminate this liability cap for BP and any other company responsible for an oil spill, but the Senate has yet to act on this legislation, or the comprehensive spill response package in which it was included. Before the Senate adjourns, they should pass this legislation to bolster the government's case against BP and the other companies, and in future possible legal endeavors."

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