"Federal Judge Rejects BP Bid To Lower $13.7 Billion Oil Spill Fine"

"A federal judge in New Orleans has rejected BP's effort to cap its fines from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill at $9.57 billion, nearly one-third lower than the penalty federal prosecutors are seeking. The court has not yet ruled how much the British oil giant will pay for the disaster.

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ruled Thursday (Feb. 19) that BP could pay a maximum civil penalty of up to $4,300 for each barrel of oil spilled. The fines apply under the Clean Water Act, the federal law governing water pollution.

The ruling means BP continues to face up to $13.7 billion in civil fines for the oil spill."

Jennifer Larino reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune February 19, 2015.