CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire is a big step closer to securing its $ 236 million judgment against Exxon Mobil to clean up contaminated groundwater.
The U.S. Supreme Court said this week it wouldn’t hear Exxon’s appeal regarding its use of the gasoline additive MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether, used since the 1970s to reduce smog-causing emissions.
New Hampshire sued Exxon and other oil companies in 2003 for damages to remediate MTBE contamination, saying Exxon knew it was supplying a product that’s more difficult to clean up than other contaminants. Other companies settled.
The jury award against Exxon was the largest in New Hampshire’s history. The exact figure will include interest and it’s possible the state and the Irving, Texas-based corporation will agree on a figure as early as June.
