NWF Calls DOJ Oil Disaster Lawsuit “A Key Part Of the Solution”

Today the U.S. Department of Justice sued BP and eight other companies over the Gulf oil disaster:

The Obama administration’s lawsuit asks that the companies be held liable without limitation under the Oil Pollution Act for all removal costs and damages caused by the oil spill, including damages to natural resources. The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties under the Clean Water Act.

“We intend to prove these violations caused or contributed to the massive oil spill,” Attorney General Eric Holder told a news conference.

The amount of damages and the extent of injuries sustained by the United States as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Spill are not yet fully known, the lawsuit states.

John Kostyack, Executive Director for Wildlife Conservation and Global Warming with the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

We’re pleased to see the federal government moving forward against BP and other parties responsible for the Gulf oil disaster. Repairing the damage done to people, wildlife and coastal habitats is a massive undertaking and recovery of Clean Water Act penalties will be a key part of the solution.

To learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s response to the Gulf oil disaster, visit NWF.org/OilSpill.