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Mont. governor: Exxon Mobil violates open-government laws
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Cleanup workers use oil-absorbent materials alongside the Yellowstone River in Laurel, Mont. An Exxon Mobil pipeline ruptured and spilled an estimated 1,000 barrels of crude into the Yellowstone last weekend.
Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont.
The state of Montana has cut its ties to a joint Exxon Mobil-government command post overseeing an oil spill in the Yellowstone River after the governor said the group was defying state open-government laws by denying public access.
The move underscores mounting tensions between the state and one of the world’s largest energy companies over its handling of the pipeline rupture that spewed an estimated 42,000 gallons of oil into the scenic river.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg of Montana said the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials will conduct the first congressional hearing on the spill and on pipeline safety Thursday.
Security guards working for Exxon Mobil Corp. have closely guarded access to the command post on the second floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Billings, where the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies also are stationed. Attempts by The Associated Press to talk to government officials there have been denied.
Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer said leaving the command center would not impede the state’s ability to respond to the spill.
“The state will no longer have a presence at the Crowne Plaza because Exxon Mobil tells us they can’t respect the open-government laws we have in Montana,” Schweitzer told The Associated Press. “I can’t allow state employees to be in meetings at the Crowne Plaza talking about this cleanup without having it open.”
He established an alternate state-run coordination center Friday at state offices in Billings. One of the first orders of business was telling landowners along the river to collect samples of oil-stained water, soil and grass that they can use as evidence if they have to file claims against Exxon Mobil.
Schweitzer brought hundreds of sample jars to hand out at the opening, which attracted about 100 people. About two dozen raised their hands when Schweitzer asked if there were landowners present.
He criticized Exxon Mobil for its response, pointing out discrepancies in the company’s reports of how long it took to shut down the pipeline and saying company officials were downplaying damage to wildlife.
He spoke in front of a projected image of a toad sitting in what appeared to be oily marshland.
The governor also sent a letter to top Exxon Mobil officials Friday requesting the company’s data on the type of crude oil that was in the pipeline, including the last three years of analysis on the oil’s viscosity, volatility and toxicity.