Govt. Suing Companies Involved In Gulf Oil Spill

The Justice Department has sued BP Exploration and Production Inc. and eight other companies in the Gulf oil spill  disaster in an effort to recover billions of dollars from the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. History. The suit asks that BP be held responsible for all damage and removal costs for the spill. Legal analyst Tim Meche says they have every right to sue. Meche believes this civil suit by the Justice Department will likely create tension with the criminal investigation that the Justice Department has already announced it's begun.

The Justice Department names 8 other companies in its suit--alleging the spill was the result of a combination of negligence on the part of all. Meche says the case is very complicated, with as many plaintiffs and defendants. He says this won't be resolved quickly.The Obama administration's lawsuit asks that the eight companies be held liable without limitation 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.

An explosion that killed 11 workers at BP's Macondo well last April led to oil spewing from the company's undersea well -- more than 200 million gallons in all, by the government's estimate. BP disputes the figure.

United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., responded to today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice that the U.S. government filed a lawsuit against BP and four other companies for their roles in the oil spill that resulted from the April 20^th explosion of the Deepwater Horizon.

Sen. Landrieu said:

“BP should be held accountable for the damage the oil spill inflicted upon the Gulf Coast.  I remain committed to ensuring that no less than 80% of the penalties BP pays are directed to the Gulf Coast and that the money is divided among the states based on need and the damage they incurred from the spill.  I will be working with the rest of the Louisiana delegation and fighting for legislation to accomplish this goal in January.”