Alaska to fine BP for pipeline spill

Fuel giant BP could face a fine of more than £1.2m (€1.7m) over a pipeline spill in Alaska, environmental watchdogs said today.

An investigation by BP and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation into the spill in the Prudhoe Bay oil field has not finished, but ADEC commissioner Kurt Fredriksson said the state would be pursuing penalties and fines against BP Exploration (Alaska), which operates the oil field.