Reducing Environmental Risk

Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Investigation into the Deepwater Horizon Drilling Rig Gulf Coast Oil Spill

James Periconi describes the kinds of environmental criminal charges that Attorney General Holder’s investigation may result in, for example, release of pollutants dangerous to the environment (Clean Water Act), and the negligent if not knowing endangerment of the lives of the workers aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig that led to the deaths of 11 workers.

He also discusses the application of the federal Crime Victims Rights Act of 2004 to these environmental crimes, and the impact of BP’s past environmental crimes conviction in 2008 by plea, including three years probation (for the explosion at the Texas City refinery) that may increase the likelihood of indictment of BP for the Gulf oil disaster.

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