Oil-Spill Bill Unfair to Spillers

Is it right for a prosecuting agency to collect huge fees from those whom they are prosecuting? That’s what will happen if an oil-spill bill proposed by a Palo Alto assemblyman is passed.

AB 667 would dramatically increase penalties for inland spills of oil, fuel and other petroleum products. Accidentally spilling a single barrel of oil or gasoline would become a criminal act with penalties that include imprisonment up to one year and fines from $5,000 to $500,000 per day! Civil damage awards could add another $25,000 to $500,000 per violation per day.

The kicker is that district attorneys, including our own Michael Bradbury, who is a proponent of the bill, would get to keep 25% of the penalties collected when they prosecute the cases. This is ludicrous and unfair.

Oil producers would be financially devastated if this extreme bill were to become law. This also sets a terrible precedent for our justice system and business in California. I encourage citizens to speak out against AB 667.

ED LYON

Owner, Gaviota Maintenance Services Inc.

Ventura