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Gov. Scott: BP settlement will help Florida invest in key projects

Governor Rick Scott released the below statement following the announcement from BP on settling with the United States and Gulf coast states impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  As part of the agreement in principle, Florida will receive at least $3.25 billion.  This includes $2 billion for economic damages, $680 million for natural resource damages and $572 from the RESTORE ACT (subject to approval from the RESTORE Council).  In addition, it is estimated that the Florida entities designated in the RESTORE ACT will receive an additional $250 million.  Also, up to $1 billion will be available to resolve economic claims of the vast majority of local governmental entities located in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Governor Rick Scott said, “This agreement will help Florida implement key projects and invest in environmental priorities to keep our state beautiful.  I want to thank Attorney General Pam Bondi, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Nick Wiley and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson for their hard work on this agreement with BP.”