BP Trial Update; Settlement Likely

A court battle to determine damages in the BP oil spill is less than two weeks away but a trial may never come into play when determining how much BP will pay for the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

"Everybody believes and myself included that it is in BP's best interest to settle this," says Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft.

A settlement would mean BP could avoid a lengthy trial and uncertainty about the amount of fines they would face. It would also make it more difficult for the gulf states to get that fine money back to the coast that was so damaged by the disaster.

"I think we are in line to lose a tremendous opportunity," says Craft. "I think personally we're going to recover any way but the long term absolute guarantee of that would be getting that money to protect the future as well as enhance it."

The Restore Act would have directed that money back to the five gulf states but it is struggling to survive in Washington and would have to pass before the settlement is reached.

In the meantime, the coastal communities are using a unique approach to drum up congressional support outside the gulf coast. "We happen to have literally thousands of snowbirds in town that love us. So Mayor Kennon and I have been speaking at their club breakfasts and asking them to talk to their senators and congressman back home to help us get this support outside of the coastal area."

Time is running out for both Congress and BP to make a decision. The trial is set to begin in New Orleans February 27th.

Another incentive for BP to settle, according to Craft, is a settlement is a tax deductible expense, a fine is not.