Exxon Valdez Case Was and Is About Much More Than A Drunken Captain

Exxon's ship was in violation of many, many maritime statutes when it hit the reef if I've correctly understood Greg Palast who was one of the investigators involved with the case: 

It didn't have the navigational equipment turned on that would have kept it away from the reef.   There was a decision which preceded the time the ship left dock not to train staff to use the equipment, and therefore it was turned off.

There were supposed to be oil containment booms on the reef that was struck, but they were many miles away under ice. 

There is supposed to be some leeway for ship owners for actions at sea, but some of the most damaging of Exxon's  actions taken on the ground by Exxon staff to save money.

One more thought from me.  Remember they want to do a lot of drilling for oil off the coast and are, in fact, doing lots of it on the ground.  

This ruling tells Big Oil that they can destroy your community, your home, and your livelihood with negligent practices and they might have to pay you $15,000 (minus lawyer fees).

This isn't about Alaskan natives and other residents.  This is about you.

And if Samuel Alito hadn't been forced to recuse himself because he owned stock in Exxon (and apparently couldn't stand to give it up for a few months) Exxon would likely have gotten away with nothing.

Palast and his host also examine a proper punitive award amount (the interview was a few months ago).  Needless to say the Supreme Court didn't come close.

See Greg Palast's podcasts

Scroll Down to "Oily Lies in Alaska" for the one on the Exxon Valdez case. 

tags: exxon valdez  alaska  supreme court  scotus  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit