Exxon Valdez funds likely to go unused - But - "What about our Human Resource?"

Anchorage, Alaska - There is $100 million still available for problems associated with the massive 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, but the clock is rapidly ticking away for anyone to make a claim.

Exxon settled with the state for $900 million, plus an additional $100 million for unforeseen damages. To date, no one has made a claim on that money.

University of Washington law professor William Rodgers and eight students researched the Exxon Valdez disaster.

They found there's still significant ongoing damage and that money should be recovered.

The deadline to make a claim is September 2006. But Rodgers is skeptical either the U.S. government or the State of Alaska will seek compensation.

“There are very close relationships with this administration and the

United States with the petroleum industry,” he said. “The State of Alaska has all kinds of ties. This is linked, as well, to the opening up of ANWR, so there are a lot of people who would be annoyed if the reopener were pursued.”

The $100 million could potentially be used to restore resources that suffered a substantial loss or decline as a result of the oil spill.

Crude oil, disputes linger 15 years after Exxon Valdez spill (March 24, 2004)
March 24 marks a grim anniversary that's burned into the minds of many Alaskans. It was 15 years ago that the Exxon Valdez sat stranded on Bligh Reef, spilling 11 million gallons of North Slope crude oil into Prince William Sound.
Environmentalists want Exxon to pay more for '89 spill (March 24, 2004)
In the nation's capital, advocates and environmentalists say there's still more to be done to overcome the devastating effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Non-profit group aims to assist those impacted by oil spill (Sunday, April 3, 2005)
Oiled Regions of Alaska, a non-profit group, is visiting coastal communities affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The group offers financial advice to people receiving large settlements from Exxon.