When Kenneth Feinberg set up the protocol for distributing the funds to oil spill victims, he wrongly included geographic proximity as a consideration. This consideration directly conflicted with the Oil Protection Act, and many claims submitted by Florida businesses impacted by the oil spill were wrongfully denied. Thanks to Alex Sink, Charlie Crist, and Bill McCollum, geographic proximity is no longer a determining factor.
As the November 23, 2010, deadline to file a claim for an emergency advance payment approaches, the next step is still unclear. On October 6, 2010, the Washington Independent published a question and answer interview with Feinberg, in which he indicated that interim payments, rather than binding final payments, may be an option. Interim payments would be the just solution, as the extent of the damages will not be clear for several years.
