Pallone Statement on the Christie Administration’s Settlement with ExxonMobil

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) released the following statement in response to the Christie Administration’s decision to settle New Jersey’s $8.9 billion environmental damage lawsuit against ExxonMobil for a mere $250 million. The settlement comes after an 11-year legal battle to recover damages from ExxonMobil for the contamination of more than 1,500 acres of wetlands, marshes, meadows and waters in northern New Jersey:

“For over a decade, the people of New Jersey, and four successive governors, have made it clear that ExxonMobil’s degradation of our land and resources is unacceptable and that our state and its residents must be adequately compensated. We know that Exxon Mobil is responsible for this extensive environmental damage and, yet, they are being let off the hook. The Christie Administration has now, with this misguided decision to settle, undone years of hard work and effectively told corporate polluters that they can degrade New Jersey communities with little, if any, consequence.

“After our state has fought tirelessly for so many years to ensure that residents of Bayway and Bayonne are properly compensated, it is unfathomable that the governor would decide to excuse the egregious actions of big oil instead of standing up for New Jersey and those that live here.

“While the Christie Administration’s decision to settle for far less than what is rightfully owed to the state of New Jersey is deeply troubling, this fight is not yet over. Everyone should be aware that, fortunately, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, which must approve the settlement agreement, is required to hold a public comment period in order to allow New Jerseyans to make their voices heard. I also fully support the efforts of the Legislature, led by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Ray Lesniak, to continue this fight in court. Like we have been for the past decade, we must continue to be a united front and make it clear that corporations cannot wreak havoc on our environment without consequence.”