Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau
In the midst of this year’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill, many Alaskans turned their thoughts to the spring and summer of 1989 and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Images of Gulf wildlife and coastline covered in oil were a harsh reminder of the devastating financial and environmental disaster caused by Exxon. In the months since, many Alaskans have travelled to the Gulf either to lend a hand in the cleanup or to offer moral support.
Now that the oil has stopped flowing, Gulf residents have begun to claim economic damages from Deepwater Horizon operator BP. Once again, it’s a story Alaskans are all too familiar with, thanks to a 20-year legal battle with Exxon that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. As KTOO’s Casey Kelly reports, one lawyer who was on the ground in Prince William Sound following the Exxon spill is now headed to the Gulf to offer advice and support.
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