New Jersey initially sought $8.9 billion in damages from the oil company, but a settlement reached in March reduced the figure to $225 million for site remediation, Reuters reported.
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One person is dead after a vehicle struck a utility pole and split in half in Burlington. “It’s a huge loss for the people of New Jersey and the environment”.
Almost 500 tickets remain unclaimed for a free Fetty Wap concert in Paterson. “The judge has rubber-stamped the biggest corporate subsidy in state history”, wrote New Jersey Sierra Club Executive Director Jeff Tittel in an emailed comment.
Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino Hotel is back in the black.
The deal was criticized by environmental groups and Democrats, a majority in the state Legislature, who say the settlement is just a fraction of the billions of dollars New Jersey should have recovered.
Exxon Mobil Corp’s controversial 5 million settlement with New Jersey of a longstanding environmental pollution case won approval on Tuesday from a state judge, despite objections from critics who viewed the accord as a sellout.
A New Jersey judge has approved the Christie administration’s 5 million settlement with ExxonMobil to resolve liability over dozens of polluted sites and almost 2,000 gas stations.
Acting New Jersey Attorney General John Hoffman said the state can still pursue some claims against Exxon, including over damages to the Arthur Kill, Newark Bay and other surface waters.
New Jersey sued ExxonMobil for natural resources damage in 2004. Another roughly $50 million will go toward the state’s private legal costs. We believe that there is information that still needs to be put on the record, not only about the two refineries, but also about the 15 other sites and 800 gas stations added to this deal.
The agreement calls for delaying remediation at the site until refinery operations cease.
The settlement gives the oil giant a more than 98 percent discount on the state’s original price tag for restoring and replacing the resources, according to environmental advocates.
Hogan presided during 66 days of trial from January 2014 to September 2014 that included dueling damage estimates from experts hired by the state and Exxon.
The Exxon case went to trial previous year, but the settlement was struck before a judge issued a ruling.
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Todd Spitler, a spokesman for Exxon, said the settlement brings the case to a “fair and reasonable conclusion”. “Both parties will now have the benefit of the certainty and finality that comes from this settlement”.
