The Truth About the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

CORDOVA—With the Supreme Court set to hear climactic arguments February 27, injured Alaska fishermen have launched a campaign to get the truth out about Exxon's 1989 oil spill in Prince William Sound, from the tanker, Exxon Valdez. 

The website, www.wholetruth.net, acts as a clearinghouse of information and contacts. Tying together law, science, economics, sociology, traditional knowledge and more, the website tells the real story of the spill, and of the ongoing litigation to hold Exxon responsible. 

The grassroots, citizen effort is made necessary by a concerted effort by Exxon corporation to delay judgement, hide the truth, and confuse issues. After a lengthy trial, in 1993, Exxon was found guilty by a jury and ordered to pay a $5 billion punitive damages award. They've unleashed an army of lawyers to avoid paying it ever since.

Exxon argues arcane points of maritime law to claim the Captain alone is at fault, not the company. Captain Hazelwood, who seemed truly remorseful, quietly served out his community service in Valdez. Exxon corporation on the other hand has avoided paying a single penny of the punitive award, while raking in $40 profit last year. Exxon's handling of the case is a saga of strong-arm corporate legal tactics. Their legal team is a shameful triumph of cynicism. 

 

It's been 19 years. Over 6,000 of the injured plaintiffs have died without seeing justice. Truly and literally, Exxon mocks the justice system. 

At stake before the Supreme Court is not only the $5 billion punitive judgement, but also fundamental legal issues of corporate accountability, especially for water quality. Everyone who is interested in not having poisons dumped into their water has an interest in the outcome of this case. 

So check out the site and spread the word.