Civil fine in Gulf spill could be $4,300 a barrel
 

I just read this on Fox News web site.

The U.S. government could fine BP up to $4,300 for every barrel of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico -- a provision in federal law that some lawmakers are citing in their efforts to keep precise record of the spill's magnitude.

Reuters reported Wednesday that a clause within the U.S. Clean Water Act may expose BP and others to civil fines that are not limited to any finite cap.

The Act permits the government to seek civil penalties in court for every barrel of oil that spills into U.S. waters, according to Reuters.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and other lawmakers are highlighting the clause in their push to quantify the barrels of crude oil leaking into the ocean. An aide to Nelson told FoxNews.com Wednesday that the senator is pressing for BP to release more video footage showing the oil leaking from the well.

The environmental group Sierra Club estimates that the April 20 explosion at Deepwater Horizon has released more than 1,444,952 barrels into the Gulf as of midday Wednesday. By that estimate, BP would owe more than $6.2 trillion in fines so far if the federal government imposes a $4,300 penalty per barrel.

The Reuters article http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN25143995

and your grandkids wouldn't even see the end of that lawsuit.... better to just hire mr fingers and take care of biz where it hurts

you never know it might put bp out of biz

the US govt isn't going to put BP out of business

Although BP isn't a US company and doesn't really pay US taxes, I don't see why the government wont grill BP and take them for what they are worth.

So what happens to BP if they get fined into hell and back? They are forced to liquidation and other companies buy their assets. Preferably Exxon since it is a US company and pays taxes.


or those crazies in the government who want the US to control the oil as a government body get their way and yet we are one step closer to to socialism... er I yeah. (tinfoilhat)

guaranteed gas prices will go up because of this. they will claim a shortage in oil or some BS that will raise the cost.

its not like even at a billion dollar fine would take a dent out of their bank account

BP were insured

they wont pay a dime.

BP oil spill leads to many birds are stained with oil, also.

LOL yeah right

thanks for the chuckle though

http://www.bpoilspillgulf.com/bp-oil...live-feed.html

god damn look at how much oil is spewing out of that. it has to be at least a barrel every 10-20 seconds.

very true