Posted by JM Ashby
Only an oil company would be arrogant enough to drink someone's milkshake run a pipeline into and tap someone's land without acquiring the land owner's permission or paying them their dues. Thankfully there are still judges out there who are not beholden to corporate interests. Is there any doubt remaining that federal regulation of the energy industry over the last decade has been a complete failure?
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- BP PLC has closed a small portion of the Prudhoe Bay oil field following a judge's ruling that federal regulators didn't get approval from the land owners...
In November, federal claims court Judge Nancy Firestone said the Oenga family is owed millions in unpaid rent because the BIA improperly allowed BP to tap three offshore oil deposits from the family's allotment.
I marvel at the fact that BP was defeated in court by a native Eskimo family, but then I am reminded that thousands of Gulf Coast residents are still awaiting similar closure and may be waiting for a long time. Perhaps we can request a transfer of Judge Nancy Firestone to Louisiana.
Adding... No, I mean no disrespect to Eskimos. It is simply remarkable because native tribes are pushed around a lot in this country.