Oil Change International Statement on 'Ludicrous' Exxon Tax Break for Arkansas Spill

As cleanup continues for the tragic Arkansas tar sands spill, Oil Change International revealed that Exxon, like all companies shipping tar sands, doesn't even pay into the government fund responsible for much of the clean up.

Statement from OCI Campaign Director David Turnbull on Exxon's ludicrous subsidy:

"The great irony of this tragic spill in Arkansas is that the transport of tar sands oil through pipelines in the US is exempt from payments into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Exxon, like all companies shipping toxic tar sands, doesn't have to pay into the fund that will cover most of the clean up costs for the pipeline's inevitable spills. In other words, Exxon is about to cash in on the 'please spill tar sands oil in my kid's playground' subsidy.

"Tar sands pipelines like the one spilling in Arkansas and the proposed Keystone XL are the definition of a lose-lose situation-- we get stuck with toxic spills in our communities and extreme weather from the climate change it causes, but get little of the gasoline destined for foreign markets. In light of yet another spill, it's time for President Obama to say no to the Keystone XL pipeline once and for all."

For more information on the exemption, see: https://priceofoil.org/2013/04/02/toxic-and-tax-exempt/