U.S. Justice Department Sues For BP Oil Spill Clean Up Costs
Alleging violations of federal safety regulations that may have caused or contributed to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the U.S. Justice Department has just filed a civil lawsuit against BP and eight others. “Even though the spill has been contained, the Department’s focus on investigating this disaster and preventing future devastation has not wavered,” said Attorney General Eric Holder in a statement. “We intend to prove that these defendants are responsible for governmental removal costs, economic losses, and environmental damages without limitation” under the Oil Pollution Act for all removal costs and damages caused by the oil spill, including damages to natural resources, he added. The complaint says that several key safety and operating regulations were violated in the period leading up to the oil spill, including: