WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court cut the $2.5 billion punitive damages award to $500 million:

 

“While the Supreme Court’s decision does recognize that people were negatively impacted by the tragic Exxon Valdez oil spill, I am extremely disappointed that the Court chose to disregard the full scope of the damage the Exxon Valdez oil spill had on our citizens and communities.  As a result of this decision, 33,000 victims – including more than 5,000 Washingtonians – will be short-changed out of getting the full compensation they deserve.

 

“The Supreme Court failed today to hold Exxon fully accountable, and is hurting Washington citizens in the process.  The lessons of the Exxon Valdez oil spill are clear. With 15 billion gallons of oil passing through Washington state waters every year, we must do everything we can to strengthen our oil spill safety net and prevent these types of incidents from ever occurring in the first place. I will continue to work hard to protect Washington waterways, and prevent other oil spills that might devastate the environment, the economy, and our communities.”

 

Cantwell has been working with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on legislation to ensure that recipients of damages awarded from the Exxon Valdez oil spill are given fair tax treatment. 

 

 

# # #