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ExxonMobil: Eight Months and 17 Lawsuits Later

Mayflower Oil Spill Lake Conway
Joint Command

Lawsuits and allegations of safety violations are mounting against ExxonMobil over the rupture of a pipeline that spilled thousands of barrels of oil in Mayflower. 

Over eight months have passed since the Pegasus Pipeline ruptured and there are at least 17 lawsuits filed against Exxon or its subsidiaries in state and federal courts.

Earlier this month the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration alleged nine "probable" violations of safety regulations related to the spill.

The agency's proposed more than $2.5 million in penalties. Although ExxonMobil's profits dropped nearly 18% last quarter, the fine amounts to less than an hour's worth of profitfor the company. ExxonMobil has not said whether it will challenge the alleged violations.

In the case of the state's suit, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has said he's prepared to hand over the case to the next Attorney General, as the case is expected to outlast his term.

Jacob Kauffman is a former news anchor and reporter for KUAR.
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