US sues BP unit over Alaska oil spills

[IDemo]

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has filed a civil complaint against BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc (BP.L)(BP.N) alleging that the Alaska-based company violated U.S. clean air and water laws, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Anchorage, accuses BPXA of illegally discharging more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil from its pipelines in Prudhoe Bay onto the North Slope of Alaska during two major oil spills in the spring and summer of 2006.

The complaint also alleges that BPXA failed to prepare and implement adequate spill prevention measures required under the Clean Water Act.

"We have taken significant steps to ensure that our operations are safe and reliable, and protect the environment," said BP Exploration Alaska spokesman Steve Rinehart.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIntegratedOilGas/idUSN3144982920090401