Sen. Menendez pushes oil legislation to raise BP’s liability
Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) is heralding a bill called the “Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act.” The legislation would increase the amount of money oil companies would have to pay in the case of a spill from $75 million to $10 billion.
Under the current law BP is responsible for cleaning up the spill and then can be held accountable for up to $75 million in liability. But that may not be enough to help after the spill as fisherman, coastal areas, wildlife and tourism are all sure to suffer from the spreading oil slick.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!