Number: RL31911
Title: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchasers Under the Superfund Act
Authors: Robert Meltz, American Law Division 
Abstract: The Superfund Actmore formally, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)contains a liability scheme that is, by any measure, stringent. If a hazardous substance is released, or threatened to be released, from a facility, CERCLA subjects a wide variety of personsincluding the present owner of the facilityto strict, joint, and several liability for cleanup and other costs. At the same time, certain owners of facilities that were already contaminated when acquired can take advantage of mechanisms in the Act that eliminate or contain this liability, or reduce liability-related transaction costs. This report covers three of them.
Pages: 9
Date: Updated May 8, 2003