NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey announced a $225 million settlement with Exxon Mobil on Thursday that state officials said is the largest environmental settlement against a corporate defendant in state history — although it has been criticized by Democratic lawmakers who say it covers a mere fraction of the nearly $9 billion initially sought.
Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said the settlement over pollution at refinery sites in Linden and Bayonne is separate from Exxon Mobil’s obligation to clean up the sites at its own expense.
“This important settlement, which came about because this administration aggressively pushed the case to trial, is the result of long fought settlement negotiations that pre-dated and post-dated the trial,” Hoffman said in a statement.
New Jersey filed its lawsuit in 2004, claiming Exxon Mobil’s petroleum refining plants in Linden and Bayonne fouled the land and water. The state sought $8.9 billion damages.
Several years ago, a state judge ruled Exxon Mobil was liable for causing a public nuisance.
