Rick Scott approves plan to hand out BP oil spill money

BP oil spill money

Northwest Florida counties are going to finally get a share of money given to the state for damages related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill (HB 7007) that guarantees the distribution of $300 million to eight counties hardest hit by the spill.

In 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, leased by energy giant BP, killed 11 workers and caused a blow-out that began spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Under a settlement, Florida is to receive $2 billion for economic losses.

Florida received its first payment nearly a year ago, but the fate of the money remained in limbo. House Republicans were adamant that the money could not be used on incentives to lure new businesses to the region.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.

Phil Ammann

Phil Ammann is a Tampa Bay-area journalist, editor and writer. With more than three decades of writing, editing, reporting and management experience, Phil produced content for both print and online, in addition to founding several specialty websites, including HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government, entertainment reviews, marketing and an advice column. Phil has served as editor and production manager for Extensive Enterprises Media since 2013 and lives in Tampa with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul. He can be reached on Twitter @PhilAmmann or at [email protected].



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