In Press Release, Senator Begich Commends Exxon Decision to Compensate Spill Victims

Alaska Senator Mark Begich today commended Exxon Mobil for declining to appeal a recent judgment over interest stemming from the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster. The company said today it will soon begin payments totaling nearly $500 million in interest on the $507.5 million in punitive damages it has already begun paying to the fishermen, business owners and others harmed by the spill.

“Exxon is doing the right thing by stepping forward to compensate those Alaskans and others who are still feeling the effects of the oil spill 20 years later,” said Begich, who wrote Exxon CEO Rex W. Tillerson on June 16 asking him to halt further litigation. “Opting against yet another appeal in this case will help put the oil spill behind us and allow affected Alaskans to move on as best they can.”

An estimated 33,000 people were directly affected by the 1989 disaster in which 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled in one of Alaska’s most pristine regions teeming with fish and wildlife.

“Lives were permanently disrupted, businesses bankrupted, fisheries affected for generations, thousands of birds and wildlife killed,” Begich said. “Paying the court-ordered compensation and interest is long overdue so I know Alaskans will appreciate Exxon’s decision.”