Under CERCLA, which entity is typically liable for cleanup costs?

Under CERCLA, which entity is typically liable for cleanup costs?

• A. The federal government only
• B. Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
• C. Local homeowners
• D. Environmental advocacy groups

Answer: (B)

Under CERCLA, cleanup costs are assigned to the potentially responsible parties who either caused or contributed to the contamination—such as current or former owners or operators of the site, parties who arranged disposal or treatment of the hazardous substances, and those who transported them there. Liability under CERCLA is broad and can be retroactive, strict, and joint and several, meaning multiple PRPs can be held responsible and funds can be pursued from any of them. The government may lead or fund cleanups, but recovery from PRPs is the typical path. Local homeowners or environmental advocacy groups aren’t ordinarily on the hook unless they meet the PRP criteria, which is uncommon. So the entity typically liable for cleanup costs is the potentially responsible parties.

Under CERCLA, cleanup costs are assigned to the potentially responsible parties who either caused or contributed to the contamination—such as current or former owners or operators of the site, parties who arranged disposal or treatment of the hazardous substances, and those who transported them there. Liability under CERCLA is broad and can be retroactive, strict, and joint and several, meaning multiple PRPs can be held responsible and funds can be pursued from any of them. The government may lead or fund cleanups, but recovery from PRPs is the typical path. Local homeowners or environmental advocacy groups aren’t ordinarily on the hook unless they meet the PRP criteria, which is uncommon. So the entity typically liable for cleanup costs is the potentially responsible parties.