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ExxonMobil disputes Senate race comments
Dallas Business Journal ^ | October 6, 2004

Posted on 10/06/2004 6:02:10 PM PDT by MikeJ75

An ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) spokesman on Wednesday responded to comments made in Alaska's Senate race referencing a punitive damages case resulting from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The comments stem from criticism embattled Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has received for referring to the spill, which dumped 10.9 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of Prince Puget Sound, as "that little issue."

Alaskans are still upset about the spill, and ExxonMobil's continuing efforts to appeal the $4.5 billion in punitive damages for Alaska natives, Cordova fishermen and other harmed Alaskans.

A new radio campaign from Murkowski's opponent Democrat Tony Knowles blasts her for the September remark.

"ExxonMobil has been a good corporate citizen in Alaska for more than 30 years," ExxonMobil spokesman Ken Cohen said in a statement released Wednesday. "We have been a major contributor to Alaska's economy, to community programs, to education and the arts."

Cohen added that the company took responsibility for the spill, cleaned it up and voluntarily paid $300 million to more than 11,000 Alaskans and businesses affected by the accident.

The company paid $2.2 billion on the cleanup of Prince William Sound, staying with the cleanup from 1989 to 1992, when the State of Alaska and the U.S. Coast Guard declared it complete, he said.

Additionally, Irving-based ExxonMobil has paid $1 billion in settlements with the state and federal governments, Cohen said. The money is being used for environmental studies and conservation programs for Prince William Sound.

Cohen said the punitive damages suggested by Alaska Judge Holland in excess of the amount the jury found necessary to compensate plaintiffs.

Web site: www.exxon.mobil.com


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: exxon; knowles; murkowski; valdez

1 posted on 10/06/2004 6:02:10 PM PDT by MikeJ75
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