BP’s Oil Spill Damages: What Exxon Valdez Wrought

No one knows what the final amount of damages, fines and penalties might be for the BP oil spill—too many unknowns—but some commentators are tossing around $40 billion, all told. That’s a lot of money, even for BP. Some are asking, “Does it have the assets to survive?” Lawsuits are already being filed, and Attorney General Eric Holder has announced a criminal investigation.