A Superior Court judge is expected to hear arguments on the proposed pollution settlement between ExxonMobil and the novel Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Thursday.
The oil giant and the state agreed to settle out of court for $225 million — close to $8 billion less than the amount of natural resource damage Exxon caused,according to state calculations. The Natural Resources Defense Council says the proposed payout is too low to restore wetlands and marshes after decades of oil leaks and spills at Exxon refineries. The group has asked to argue against the settlement as a "friend of the court." Their motion to formally intervene as a third party in the case was denied earlier this month."We will definitely be disappointed if we aren't able to argue tomorrow, but we will continue to look for ways to enjoy our voices heard, and " said Margaret Brown,an attorney at the NRDC. She said it's valuable "to enjoy to opposite side presented so that the judge can hear all opinions."The Christie administration defends the deal, calling it “historic.”
Source: wnyc.org