State environmental officials are suing ExxonMobil over a nearly 30-year-old oil spill in Greenpoint.

More than 17 million gallons of petroleum leaked under the streets of Greenpoint and into Newton Creek. ExxonMobil accepted responsibility for much of the spill and has since pumped 9 million gallons of oil out of the ground. However, Greenpoint residents say the cleanup is too slow and their health is at risk.

The state?s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) asked New York?s attorney general to initiate legal action against Exxon to ensure the company fulfills its obligation to clean up the contamination.

Related Information:Greenpoint residents say 1950s oil spill still harmful