Jury finds ExxonMobil negligent for supplying MTBE petrol

摘要

Last month a New Hampshire jury unanimously found that ExxonMobil was negligent in supplying petrol containing the additive MTBE, which has caused widespread pollution of the state's drinking water. The jury awarded the state damages of $816 million, of which ExxonMobil will pay its market share, 28.94%, equating to $236,372,664. In the three-month trial, ExxonMobil claimed that using MTBE was necessary to meet the EPA's requirements to reduce air pollution under amendments to the Clean Air Act and that they should not be held liable for sites contaminated by third parties such as independent petrol station owners.