Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over Mayflower oil spill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil over a 2013 oil spill in Mayflower, finding that he was wrong in granting class-action status and that right-of-way land contracts didn't require the oil giant to maintain its Pegasus pipeline.

Landowners sued the company after the pipeline ruptured, spilling over 200,000 gallons in a Mayflower subdivision.

U.S. district judge Brian Miller allowed two residents in August to represent others who owned property subject to an easement for and physically crossed by the pipeline.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/1Gny90o ) reports Miller ruled Tuesday that the plaintiffs' easements allow Exxon the right to enter their land, but doesn't require Exxon to maintain and repair it.

It's unknown whether the plaintiffs plan to appeal. Attorneys didn't return messages seeking comment by the newspaper.