American Scene

MONTANA

Exxon Mobil: Spill will cost $42 million

BILLINGS — ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. said its oil pipeline spill into Montana’s scenic Yellowstone River will cost an estimated $42.6 million, according to documents obtained Monday by the Associated Press.

The July 1 pipeline break spilled about 42,000 gallons, or 1,000 barrels, of crude oil into the waterway upstream of Billings, the state’s most populous city. Exxon Mobil’s cost estimate includes $40 million for emergency response work and $2.5 million for damage to public and private property.

The company valued the lost oil at $100,000, according to documents submitted to federal pipeline regulators and obtained after a public information request.

The documents also revealed that regulators from the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration reassured local officials that the pipeline would be able to hold up during flooding along the Yellowstone River in late spring. The pipeline failure occurred during a second round of flooding about a month later.

After initially aiming to complete the work by Sept. 9, ExxonMobil said last week the cleanup may continue for several more months. About 1,000 people are involved in mopping up the spill, which fouled dozens of miles of riverbank.

The company has declined to say how much the accident might cost.

PENNSYLVANIA

Youth curfew extended after flash mobs

PHILADELPHIA — A stricter curfew for minors will be extended two weeks because the measure has been successful in helping to curb violent attacks by teen mobs that had severely injured several people in recent months, city officials said.

The 9 p.m. summertime curfew was put in place earlier this month downtown and in the University City neighborhood — home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s administration is extending it two weeks, until the regular school-year curfew takes effect.

There have been few major problems the last few weeks since the curfew was put into effect, officials said. Last weekend, there were 32 youths picked up for curfew violations, according to police.

The special summertime curfew applies to all children under age 18, with a handful of exceptions, such as youths traveling to jobs.

The regular school-year curfew starts Sept. 6. Under that city ordinance, those ages 13 to 17 are subject to a 10:30 p.m. curfew on weekdays and a midnight curfew on weekends; children younger than 13 have a curfew of 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.

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