Anchorage Daily News

Exxon Mobil's decision to accept an appeals court judgment that it owes $470 million in interest to those hurt by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill is cause for celebration. The oil giant could have carried the battle to the Supreme Court but did not.

No explanation.

That's OK. Deeds count more than words anyway.

When added to $507.5 million in punitive damages, the interest payments will nearly double the award for the average claimant.

There are other signs Exxon is interested in a better relationship with Alaskans, 20 years after the spill.

Earlier this year, Exxon Mobil upped its contribution to the Iditarod sled dog race, pledging $1.25 million over five years. And it began drilling on leases in Point Thomson in May, though it is fighting the state in court over rights to other leases in the field.

One last disagreement lingers in the oil spill case -- Exxon continues to dispute that it should have to pay $70 million it spent on fees and other costs incurred during appeals.

Still, the latest news is a case where Exxon decided not to keep fighting when it could have done so. That means Alaskans injured by the worst oil spill in North American history will get their money a little faster.

BOTTOM LINE: After 20 years, the end is in sight for people whose lives were damaged by the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

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