NH rests its case in groundwater pollution lawsuit
ExxonMobil to begin its defense after week-long break in New Hampshire water pollution case
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Lawyers for New Hampshire have wrapped up the state's case against ExxonMobil for the alleged pollution of groundwater from a gasoline additive.
The trial on the lawsuit against ExxonMobil and Citgo began Jan. 14, and is shaping up to be the most complex in state history. Two days after the trial began, Citgo agreed to settle, saying it would pay the state $16 million to detect and clean up groundwater contamination by the additive MTBE.
ExxonMobil lawyers will begin presenting their case March 4, after a scheduled week off.
The state claims that gasoline containing MTBE was a defective product and that the oil companies had a duty to warn state officials about its special properties. ExxonMobil lawyers say MTBE did what it was supposed to — reduce air pollution.
