Exxon to pay millions for spill

BILLINGS, Mont. — Exxon Mobil Corp. has agreed to pay $12 million for environmental damages caused by a pipeline break that spilled 63,000 gallons (238,474 liters) of oil into Montana’s Yellowstone River and prompted a national debate over lax pipeline safety rules, officials said Wednesday.

The payment is meant to settle claims from the U.S. and state governments that the crude oil killed fish and wildlife and damaged thousands of acres along an 85-mile stretch of the famous river that flows through southern Montana.

Court approval is pending before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby.

Exxon could face further penalties for violations of federal water pollution laws, a matter not addressed in the settlement.

The pipeline break upstream of Montana’s largest city, required a monthslong cleanup.

A U.S. Transportation Department investigation found Exxon workers failed to adequately heed warnings that the 20-year-old pipeline was at risk from flooding.

Some $4.7 million of the settlement will go to shoreline and channel restoration and improvement, Attorney General Tim Fox said. Another $3.6 million will be for habitat restoration, $2.4 million for improving recreational access, $900,000 for restoration planning and $400,000 for improving white pelican breeding areas, he said.

Montana will receive $9.5 million from the settlement, and the federal government will get the remaining $2.5 million.Exxon previously said it spent $135 million on cleanup and repair work.

The deal will be finalized pending a 30-day public comment period and court approval.