The Observer, May 2005

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Governor looks back on Valdez spill

Statement by Gov. Frank Murkowski
March 24, 2005

It’s been 16 years since the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound. Two years later the state and federal government entered into a settlement agreement to recover damages for injury to natural resources. Since that time, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council has directed spending more than $800 million in executing its plan to restore the affected environment.

Like the spill, the restoration efforts have been unprecedented and the largest effort of its kind ever undertaken. I am proud to have fought for legislation while in the U.S. Senate that established a system of local oversight and involvement that has improved our monitoring of oil transportation on our waters. The Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet regional advisory councils continue even today on that important work.

Lingering litigation continues to frustrate many Alaskans impacted by the spill. Sixteen years is too long to resolve these claims and I call upon the parties to the litigation to renew their efforts to expeditiously resolve their differences.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill has made us more vigilant and prepared to resolve similar tragedy by sustaining our world class spill prevention and response system. We have a new generation of world class double hull crude oil tankers and state of the art tug escort system. We employ detailed spill planning, state-of-the-art spill prevention technology, and constant response drills and exercises.

Thanks to improved state laws and oversight, extensive industry investment, and the dedicated efforts of concerned local citizens, Prince William Sound today has the best oil transportation system in the world. That is one good legacy of the Exxon Valdez spill.