Scalise: BP Settlement A Win For Louisiana’s Coastline and Economy
July 2, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after BP agreed to pay $18.7 billion in settlement claims related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that occurred when BP’s Macondo well blew out in the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana will receive over $6.8 billion, with $5 billion going to natural resource damages and $1 billion to state economic damages.
“This multi-billion dollar settlement with BP represents a tremendous victory for the people of Louisiana," Rep. Scalise said. “Thanks in part to the passage of the RESTORE Act, this settlement will ensure that Louisiana receives billions of dollars which will be dedicated to coastal restoration and other important projects for our state to recover from this disaster.
"The resilient people of southeast Louisiana have made tremendous strides to recover and increase the safety of energy production since the Deepwater Horizon disaster 62 months ago, and now we must start the process to ensure this settlement money is used properly to restore our coast and the critical infrastructure that protects us from future storms. As a member of House leadership, I will fight to ensure the BP settlement dollars are used properly and that our state’s culture and unique way of life are protected.”