Mysterious Louisiana Sinkhole Raises Concerns of Explosions and Radiation

[Steely Dan]

The State of Louisiana has spent $12 million (so far) responding to the sinkhole disaster. The state is suing Texas Brine for reimbursement of same.

“The attorney general's office filed the lawsuit in state district court in Assumption Parish, seeking reimbursement for state response costs, along with civil penalties and money to pay for mitigation of wetlands damage.”

“Sixty-three homeowners of 150 who live in the evacuation area have taken buyouts from Texas Brine. Others want to stay put, and some people are still negotiating with the company.”

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/louisiana_sinkhole_jindal_sues.html



Texas Brine is claiming that tremors caused the brine cavern to fail.

“But officials at the U.S. Geological Survey say the cavern's failure caused the tremors — not the other way around.”

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/09/assumption_parish_sinkhole_cau.html

If I were a resident and they came to offer a buyout, I'd tell them that we'll start with an equivalent of the CEO's salary and MAYBE negotiate from there.