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Who Is Responsible For Cleanup Under CERCLA?
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Who Is Responsible For Cleanup Under CERCLA?
What is CERCLA? The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ( CERCLA ) 1) The purpose of CERCLA is to make owners and operators of hazardous waste dump sites and contaminated areas, as well as their customers, responsible for cleanup costs and property damage. 2) CERCLA is also referred to as THE SUPERFUND. It is authorized to a level of 8.5 billion dollars. The funding for CERCLA comes 87% from taxes on the chemical industry and 13% from general revenues of the federal government. Who is responsible? After a hazardous waste site is identified, CERCLA places ultimate cleanup responsibility on those who used the site. Parties responsible for a waste dump are liable for the cost of waste removal and other remedial action. If potentially responsible parties can be identified, then they can be held liable for either cleanup costs incurred, or for replenishment of the Superfund. Who is a Potentially Responsible Party? 1.) Owners and operators of waste sites. i) CERCLA actions against dissolved corporations are permissible ii) If one is the owner or operator, liability may attach even if some other party in the past placed hazardous wastes there. ( The seller of a foundry was found liable under CERCLA when it was sold for $25,000, but was appraised at $200,000, suggesting the decision to sell was for disposal of hazardous materials.) A vendor is not an owner if it did not own the propert...
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