SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) _ Two Florida cities are accepting settlements from BP for damage caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, even though neither saw any oil.
After the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, nearly 134 million gallons of crude oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico.
Although Sarasota beaches never saw gloppy tar balls on its beaches, the perception that the damage was spreading across the region led to vacant hotels, shuttered restaurants and layoffs. City commissioners are accepting a $3.2 million settlement, though The Herald Tribune reports they originally sought $15 million.
Meanwhile, The Miami Herald reports that landlocked Florida City (just south of Homestead, FL) is accepting a $1.01 million settlement as compensation for losses experienced by hotels, restaurants and gas stations after fearful tourists stopped visiting the Everglades and Florida Keys.
