Our friends at the Center of Biological Diversity

Just think if they are able to extort some $ from this pile of money. Scary thought!

Jim Wagner

Dear Jeanine, Center sues BP for $19 billion water-pollution fine. Thanks for being a Center for Biological Diversity supporter. Since the Gulf of Mexico crisis is on everyone's minds these tragic weeks, I want to give you a quick update on our latest and biggest action to date to hold BP accountable for its crimes. Last Friday in a federal court in New Orleans, we sued BP seeking the largest environmental fine in U.S. history: $19 billion. That's the maximum penalty per barrel under the Clean Water Act, and we intend to make it stick so that BP is held accountable to the full extent of the law for polluting our ocean and coasts. BP has spilled more than 100 million gallons so far -- and will spill many more before the broken pipeline is fixed. At $4,300 per barrel, we estimate the final fine will be about $19 billion. It could be larger if efforts to drill the relief wells and curb the catastrophic oil gushers don't work. The penalties will be paid to the U.S. Treasury and will be available for Gulf Coast restoration efforts. Our suit also seeks a full accounting from BP of how much oil is gushing into the Gulf each day and what toxic pollutants are mixed in with the oil, because in addition to oil, the spill is also leaking hazardous chemicals including benzene, arsenic and naphthalene. These toxins are a threat to cleanup crews, Gulf residents and wildlife, yet BP has never divulged how much and what kinds they are. I'll keep you updated on our progress on this and on our other actions to save the Gulf and its wildlife. Thanks again for following the Center's work and caring about the Gulf, its wildlife and its people. Kierán Suckling Executive Director Center for Biological Diversity P.S. For the latest on the Gulf Disaster and the Center's actions, check out our website: www.biologicaldiversity.org/gulf_disaster. Oiled brown pelican photo by Jordan Macha/Louisiana Sierra Club. This message was sent to hamack@sbcglobal.net. When donating online to the Center for Biological Diversity, always confirm that the donation page is located at DemocracyinAction.org or BiologicalDiversity.org. Let us know if you'd like to change your email list preferences or stop receiving action alerts and newsletters from us. Center for Biological Diversity P.O. Box 710 Tucson, AZ 85702 1-866-357-3349 www.BiologicalDiversity.org