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Local organization files lawsuit against BP

Posted: Jul 3, 2010 8:24 PM
Updated: Jul 3, 2010 8:27 PM

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TUCSON - One local organization is estimating it will take decades before we see all the effects from the oil spill in the gulf.

In order to hold BP accountable The Center for Biological Diversity is filing a lawsuit against the company for $19 billion.

"This is clearly the worst environmental disaster this country has ever seen," said communications director Mike Stark.

Over 60 days into the oil spill the center is taking action against BP.

They have filed a lawsuit which claims BP is in violation of the Clean Water Act.

"I think it's fairly obvious that oil in the water is the same as pollution," said Stark.

The center is suing for $4,300 for each barrel of spilled oil in the gulf totaling $19 billion if they win the case.

"So our calculation of $19 billion is through August 1st so obviously if the spill continues past that we think fine would be much greater," said Stark.

If they win, the center says money will be paid to the U.S. Treasury in hopes they will use it for restoration efforts.

Meanwhile, President Obama has urged BP to create a $20 billion escrow account to pay out claims made by locals.

"It's really frustrating it's something that could have easily been prevented we don't think that the government did its due diligence in making sure this particular rig was safe not only for people but also for the environment so it's incredibly frustrating to see," said Stark.

We reached out to BP who says they don't comment on pending litigation.

The center thinks it could be anywhere between 3 to 5 years before there is a ruling in the case.

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