Alabama County Proceeding with Own Spill Claim Against BP

Baldwin County, Alabama commissioners have voted to proceed with an $11.95 million damages claim against oil giant BP involving last year’s big oil spill.

Attorneys from law firms representing the county in the claim as well as others from the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and someone representing the state attended a meeting last week before the decision was announced. Commission Chairman Frank Burt said he believes the attorneys answered the questions commissioners had about proceeding.

The claim includes millions of dollars in sales tax revenue earmarked for county schools. The school system hired its own attorneys in December to pursue an independent $4.4 million claim.

Commissioner Charles Gruber said he wants to be sure the county’s claim doesn’t jeopardize anything the school system is working on in negotiations with BP.