Over oil compensation
Crude oil from British Petroleum’s (BP) Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which exploded and sank on April 20, is expected to cause massive environmental and economic damage in along the Gulf Coast. American City & County asked the readers of its weekly e-mail newsletter if BP should compensate Gulf Coast communities for the economic effects of the oil spill as well as the costs of the actual clean up. Below are some of the responses.
“It is BP’s sole responsibility to mitigate all losses resulting from [the spill].”
— Dennis Baker, Water Reclamation Division superintendent, Medford, Ore.
“Certainly, any corporation that causes damage to communities should take responsibility for restoring and replacing what they have damaged.”
— Barbara Hall, recorder of deeds, St. Charles, Mo.
“If, or when, the eligible costs exceed [the] $20 [billion set aside by BP for the oil spill cleanup,] BP will be able to deny further claims for compensation because of this settlement.”
— Pete Kirby, retired 911 emergency communications supervisor, Fairfax County, Va.
“I personally want to see all their resources and those of the federal government being used to stop the spill. “
— Chuck Svokas, county administrator, Hancock County, W.Va.
“BP should pay completely for the costs of the clean up, which includes reimbursement to agencies for clean up costs.”
— Bradford Whitty, utilities analyst, Santa Maria, Calif., Utilities Department
“Yes BP should fund clean up, remediation and, after a neutral grand master type has been appointed, reimburse Gulf Coast communities for direct impact of [the] oil spill.”
— Jay Gsell, county manager, Genesee County, N.Y.