A federal judge has ordered Exxon Mobil Corp. to pay $6.75 billion, including interest, to 32,000 fisherman and residents who brought the suit after the Exxon Valdez ran aground and spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into the Prince William Sound in Alaska.

Exxon Mobil said it would appeal the decision by U.S. District Judge Russel Holland.

“We have now closed the trial court doors for the last time in this litigation after 15 years,” said David Oesting, lead attorney for the plaintiffs. “We’re definitely on track to the end of the entire dispute.”

But a federal appeals court in San Francisco has kicked back Judge Holland’s two previous decisions, because the damages awarded, $5billion and $4 billion, not including interest, were too excessive.

(via The Associated Press)