Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Statement on Judicial Approval of Historic Settlement with BP Over the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Following the order today by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to enter the consent decree settling United States of America v. BP Exploration & Production Inc., et al., Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch released the following statement:

“The approval of this agreement will open a final, hopeful chapter in the six-year story of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.  “Today’s action holds BP accountable with the largest environmental penalty of all time while launching one of the most extensive environmental restoration efforts ever undertaken.  I want to thank everyone who made this outcome possible, including my predecessor, Attorney General Eric Holder, and the federal agencies and states that developed the comprehensive restoration plan.  The Department of Justice will continue to stand with the people of the Gulf as they seek to rebuild and protect the marine life, coastal systems, and beautiful beaches that have made the region a treasured natural resource.”