ALASKA PLANS OWN OIL CLEANUP

Alaska intends to begin its own oil spill cleanup after Exxon removes the last of its crews this week. An aide to the governor said the state was confident that Exxon will cover the cost of the state's wintertime cleanup. US Environmental Protection Agency administrator William Reilly has defended Exxon's decision to leave for the winter, but said the oil company is still responsible for the cleanup.