Environmental Law

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Legislation that regulates the manufacture, use, and disposal of toxic substances.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Law that governs the disposal of potentially hazardous substances through a permitting system and encourages cleanup via grants.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or Superfund Act

Establishes a fund for cleaning up hazardous waste sites, identifies potentially responsible parties (PRPs), and is funded by taxes on certain industries.

Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Entities like site owners, tenants, operators, and transporters of hazardous waste who can be held accountable for cleanup costs under CERCLA.

Joint and Several Liability

PRPs are collectively and individually responsible for cleanup costs, regardless of fault, but may be held liable based on relative fault in some cases.

Innocent Landowner (ILO) Status

Designation that allows current owners to seek grants for cleanup costs if they meet specific criteria, including not knowing about contamination prior to purchase.

Bona Fide Prospective Purchase (BFPP) Status

Status that shields current owners from liability if they acquired contaminated property after a certain date, made appropriate inquiries, and meet other requirements.

Clean Water Act

Legislation that regulates pollutant discharges into waterways, establishes effluent guidelines, and requires permits for point source discharges.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Program mandating permits for point source discharges into waterways, incorporating effluent guidelines, and broadly defining pollutants.

Clean Air Act

Law authorizing the EPA to set air quality standards, oversee state compliance, and implement emissions offset policies in nonattainment areas.