BP oil spill deal: Gov. Rick Scott office calls $4.5 billion deal 'unacceptable'

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott's office is sharply criticizing a settlement reached between the federal government and oil giant BP.

The company agreed Thursday to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay $4.5 billion because of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Melissa Sellers, a spokeswoman for the Republican governor, called the deal unacceptable because it does not direct any of the money to the state. Part of the deal calls for a national foundation to spend money on conservation projects in Florida.

Sellers said the agreement does not adequately compensate the state for spill impacts.

The position of Scott's office contrasts with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Nelson, a Democrat, applauded the settlement in a statement.

BP could still wind up paying civil penalties that could go to the state.