Judge makes ruling in Exxon Valdez case

A federal judge on Wednesday refused Exxon Mobil Corp.'s request that he declare government efforts to seek additional cleanup funds related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill a violation of a consent decree.

U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland, in a written order, said the federal and state governments haven't formally presented any claims. He said the possibility that they might doesn't create any hardships for Exxon.

The matter stems from the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which resulted in 11 million gallons of oil being spilled into Prince William Sound.