TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today launched a website
to provide Floridians with a central location to obtain information about
the state’s response to the Deepwater Horizon incident and the oil spill
approaching Florida’s coastline. The website,
http://myfloridalegal.com/deepwaterhorizon, includes current maps and
projections for the oil spill’s location and potential movement, as well
as information citizens can use to protect themselves from fraud and the
hotline number for filing recovery claims.
“Our citizens need as much information as possible so they can participate
in the clean-up operations, prepare for any impact that may affect them,
their businesses, and their families, and recover any losses this disaster
may cause,” said Attorney General McCollum. “As the state’s response and
recovery continues, the Attorney General’s Office will remain dedicated to
protecting our state’s and our citizens’ rights, and we will work to
ensure Floridians have access to the most current, accurate information
available.”
In addition to launching the website, the Attorney General has been
actively preparing for any potential litigation which may be necessary to
recover damages for Florida and its citizens. Those actions are detailed
chronologically below:
- Sunday, May 2, Attorney General McCollum met with the Attorneys
General from the Gulf Coast States – Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and
Alabama – to form a multi-state working group that is exploring legal
options the states may pursue to protect their citizens and their
resources.
- On Monday, May 3, the Attorney General met with Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Mike Sole to discuss the Attorney
General’s statutory role as counsel to DEP to proactively ensure proper
efforts and financial resources to protect Florida’s natural resources and
communities.
- After personally viewing the oil spill, Attorney General McCollum
convened business owners in Pensacola on Wednesday to listen to and
understand the economic impact the oil spill will have on their local
businesses and jobs. Those participating included fishermen, boat
captains, restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses.
- Later on Wednesday, May 5, Attorney General McCollum and the Gulf
Coast State Attorneys General sent a letter to BP America, Transocean,
Halliburton and Cameron International, requesting the companies
memorialize in writing their commitment to cover all costs associated with
the oil spill, including clean up and damages suffered by our citizens.
More information, including copies of the letters, is available online at:
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/2AA171869384008A8525771A0064E2C0
- Following the May 5th letter to the responsible parties, Attorney
General McCollum and the other Attorneys General met with the general
counsel of British Petroleum and obtained BP’s commitment to provide funds
to Florida businesses and workers currently suffering as a result of the
oil spill. The Attorney General reiterated to the general counsel that he
would continue to hold the company responsible for whatever funding is
necessary for clean up and recovery.
- Thursday, May 6, the Gulf Coast State Attorneys General sent a letter
to President Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, seeking their
assistance in establishing a state-federal working group to coordinate
preparation for any damage assessment initiatives, enforcement or
litigation regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Attorneys
General also asked the President and Attorney General Holder to ensure
coordination between the various federal agencies and the state agencies
involved to maximize the states’ available resources while ensuring that
the states and their citizens can be made whole. More information,
including a copy of the letter, is available online at:
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/FB9F419336FD5B238525771B0055EE90
- On Friday, May 7, the Attorney General spoke with the lead attorney
in the Exxon Valdez lawsuit to continue preparation for any possible
litigation on behalf of Floridians.
- Yesterday, May 10, Attorney General McCollum and the Governor
announced they were establishing a “pro bono” legal advisory council to
ensure that Florida has the very best talent in the legal community to
assist the state as it assesses the impact of the oil spill on Florida’s
economy, businesses and local industries, natural resources, and citizens.
The council will be chaired by former Attorneys General Bob Butterworth
and Jim Smith who will immediately begin a vetting process and identify
private firms, lawyers, and other experts who should participate on the
council. More information on the council is available online at:
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/4C5760026B81E7928525771F006CCF15
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