Oil Spill Briefing
December 15, 2010
In the wake of the nation’s largest oil spill in history, Attorney General Eric Holder announces civil lawsuit regarding deepwater Horizon oil spill. The lawsuit asks the court for civil penalties and that the court declares eight of the defendants liable without limitation under the Oil pollution act for all removal costs and damages caused by the oil spill.
Press Release: Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Civil Lawsuit Regarding Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
-
A view of the press conference audience behind a computer image of the fire on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform.Photo credit: Craig CrawfordThe Justice Department has filed a civil lawsuit against nine defendants in the matter of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The lawsuit asks the court for civil penalties and that the court declare eight of the defendants liable without limitation under the Oil Pollution Act for all removal costs and damages caused by the oil spill, including damages to natural resources.
-
Attorney General Eric Holder at the podium. Behind him are from left to right: Assistant Attorney General Ignacia Moreno, who leads DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division; Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson; and Assistant Attorney General Tony West, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.Photo credit: Craig CrawfordWhile oil spill response efforts were underway, the Department of Justice launched both criminal and civil probes into this matter. We dispatched dozens of top attorneys to the gulf region, and members of the Department’s senior leadership have also made multiple trips to the area.
As a result of this work, today, the United States filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans against nine defendants, alleging violations of federal safety and operational regulations. -
The Attorney General reaffirms the Department’s pledge to the residents and businesses on the Gulf Coast.
Photo credit: Craig Crawford“Over the past year, I have visited the gulf region multiple times. I have seen the devastation that this oil spill caused throughout the region – to individuals and families; to communities and businesses; to coastlines, wetlands, and wildlife.
Even though the spill has been contained – even though it is no longer the focus of round-the-clock news coverage and the subject of front-page headlines – the Department’s focus on investigating this disaster, and preventing future devastation, has not wavered.” -
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson addresses the media concerning the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Photo credit: Craig Crawford -
Assistant Attorney General Tony West, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Division, discusses the civil charges.
Photo credit: Craig CrawfordThe complaint alleges that these violations caused or contributed to the massive oil spill, and that the defendants are therefore responsible for removal costs and damages without limitation under the Oil Pollution Act. -
Ignacia Moreno, Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division speaks with reporters.
Photo credit: Craig CrawfordThe complaint also includes claims for civil penalties under the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the unauthorized discharge of oil into the nation’s waters. It alleges that the defendants named in the lawsuit were in violation of the Act throughout the months that oil was gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. -
Press conference attendees study the briefing materials and listen to the presenters.
Photo credit: Craig Crawford
