Christie Trys To Block Environmental Groups In Exxon Case

Exxon Mobil and the Christie administration have filed court briefs arguing that environmental groups should not be allowed to testify before a judge against a controversy-raising $225-million environmental settlement between the state and the oil giant.
 
The groups and Democrats in the Legislature have voiced strong disapproval of the pact, primarily because the settlement amount is so much lower than the $9 billion the state originally sought to offset extensive environmental damage to 1,800 acres of wetlands around Exxon’s former refineries in Bayonne and Linden.

Judge Hogan was about to decide how much Exxon should pay when the Christie administration announced the agreement.

In addition to the environmental groups, state Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union, has asked the judge for permission to testify.

Debbie Mans, executive director of NY/NJ Baykeeper, one of the groups seeking to intervene, said “the people of New Jersey deserve a representative in this case who will ensure that their voice is heard. Governor Christie is trying to settle this case for pennies on the dollar, letting one of the largest corporations in the world off the hook for billions of dollars in natural resource damages.”
During the public comment period, the DEP received more than 9,000 letters, cards and emails, virtually all opposed to the deal.
Christie has defended the settlement as “a really good deal” for New Jersey, noting it is the largest such payout of its kind ever secured by the state.
Oral arguments on whether to allow the environmental groups or Lesniak into the case are set for Friday. If their request is denied, oral arguments on the actual settlement are set for July 21

Entire article at
 http://www.northjersey.com/news/exxon-state-move-to-block-environmental-groups-from-testifying-against-225m-settlement-1.1369942