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Mobile Press-Register - Artur Davis Introduces Bill To Up BP's Liability For Gulf Oil Spill; Measure Would Raise Cap

News Article

Date: May 5, 2010

Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, is among 5 House Democrats introducing legislation today that would dramatically increase oil companies' potential liability for offshore spills. The new bill, which mirrors already introduced Senate legislation, would raise the cap on damages -- apart from cleanup costs -- from $75 million to $10 billion.

The measure is aimed at BP PLC, now battling to contain a leak from an exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico.

"This legislation will make BP and any other responsible company fully accountable for the environmental havoc that is threatening Alabama's coastline," Davis, who is running for governor, said in a news release.

In a Tuesday interview with reporters, BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward suggested that he did not see the existing $75 million cap as "particularly relevant" and repeated earlier assertions that the London-based oil giant will pay all "legitimate claims."


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