ENERGY
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Exxon Corp. Seeks to Block Settlement: The company sued Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. to halt the $98-million Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement announced by the trans-Alaska pipeline operator in July. The suit seeks an injunction barring approval and payouts from the $98 million that Alyeska agreed to pay to settle damages from the 1989 oil spill, the worst ever in U.S. waters. An estimated 35,000 to 60,000 people are expected to be paid from the fund. Exxon says the deal would unfairly prevent it from collecting any payment for spill liabilities yet to be assessed. Exxon is a 20% owner of Alyeska, which operates the 800-mile trans-Alaska oil pipeline and its Valdez marine terminal.
