New Hampshire is a big step closer to securing its $236 million judgment against Exxon Mobil to clean up contaminated groundwater with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear Exxon's appeal regarding its use of the gasoline additive MTBE.
New Hampshire sued Exxon and other oil companies in 2003 for damages to remediate MTBE contamination, saying Exxon knew it was supplying a product that's more difficult to clean up than other contaminants. Other companies settled.
The jury award against Exxon was the largest in New Hampshire's history. The exact figure will include interest and it's possible the state and the Irving, Texas-based corporation will agree on a figure as early as June.
MTBE is used to reduce smog-causing emissions.
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