Municipal, state and federal government officials have launched an investigation of the recent California oil spill, which could lead to the criminal prosecution of company officials who are said to be responsible.
"I am working with the federal government and the attorney general's office to look into potential criminal, and/or civil prosecution," Santa Barbara district attorney Joyce Dudley said, according to Reuters.
Representatives of Texas-based Plains All American Pipeline, the company which owns the affected pipeline, have declined to respond to Dudley's statement. California attorney general and U.S. Senate candidate Kamala Harris is also working on the investigation.
"My office is working closely with our state and federal partners on an investigation of this conduct to ensure we hold responsible parties accountable," Harris said in a statement, Reuters also reports.
Plains All American Pipeline officials are sending employees to Santa Barbara to respond to the environmental crisis. The group's response is centered around participating in cleanup efforts.
The oil pipeline transportation company was founded in 1998 and is based in Houston. It currently has a revenue of approximately $44 billion.
