Paulsboro Payout Raises New Questions About New Jersey Exxon Settlement

PAULSBORO, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a new controversy over the settlement reached between the state of New Jersey and Exxon Mobil.

In March, New Jersey announced the proposed $225 million settlement with Exxon over pollution at refineries and other sites across the state.

In 2009, expert reports drafted for the state estimated full restoration of the Paulsboro site, in Gloucester County, would cost more than $81 million. But two years ago, Exxon's share was revised to less than $15 million.

Listen to Paulsboro Payout Raises New Questions About New Jersey Exxon Settlement

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said the settlement allots just $5 million for Paulsboro and 15 other sites combined.

"It just shows that this Exxon deal keeps getting worse, and the environments and the people in those communities keep suffering, and Exxon keeps laughing all the way to the bank," Tittel told WCBS 880's Jim Smith.

The state is not requiring primary restoration at the Paulsboro site. Tittel fears the chemicals will just be capped.

As part of the overall deal, Exxon is still on the hook for the entire remediation.

Gov. Chris Christie has repeatedly defended the deal with Exxon, saying the $225 million settlement does not include all of the cash the company will have to pay to clean up the damaged sites. Those costs, Christie added, have no cap.