Opinion ID: 183689
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Diligent Prosecution Bar

Text: We next examine whether the investigative proceeding of the Puerto Rico EQB falls within the discrete, statutorily enumerated list of enforcement actions that will bar a citizen suit under RCRA. We conclude that it does not. There are three basic circumstances in which state action will bar a RCRA citizen suit: (1) where the state has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an enforcement action; (2) where the state is engaged in a removal action under CERCLA that addresses an imminent endangerment alleged by the citizen suit; and (3) where the state has incurred costs to initiate a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study under CERCLA and is diligently proceeding with a remedial action that addresses the alleged imminent endangerment. 42 U.S.C. § 6972(b)(1)(B), (b)(2)(C). The first of these bars applies equally to RCRA suits brought under the ongoing violations prong of RCRA's citizen suit provision, § 6972(a)(1)(A), and suits based on the imminent endangerment prong, § 6972(a)(1)(B). The latter two bars apply solely to imminent endangerment suits. Here, Chico filed suit under both prongs, and thus we consider the application of all three bars. The latter two we can discount out of hand, as the EQB has taken no action under CERCLA. The only colorable issue is whether the EQB, through its investigative proceedings, has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an enforcement action that addresses the substance of Chico's citizen suit claims. Id. § 6972(b)(1)(B), (b)(2)(C)(i). Most courts that have examined this aspect of the diligent prosecution bar have concluded that the language of the statute requires a formal action in court. [18] We agree. Though the statute uses different language to describe the bar as it applies to ongoing violation suits versus imminent endangerment suits, both plainly necessitate an action in court. For ongoing violation citizen suits, the statute is explicit: such suits will be barred only where the State has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil or criminal action in a court of the United States or a State to require compliance with such permit, standard, regulation, condition, requirement, prohibition, or order. Id. § 6972(b)(1)(B) (emphasis added). In the case of imminent endangerment suits, the statute is less direct, providing that suit will be barred where the state has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an action under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section (i.e., the imminent endangerment provision of RCRA's citizen suit statute). Id. § 6972(b)(2)(C)(i). While there is no express reference in this latter provision to an action in a court, such limitation is implicit. Section 6972 provides that any person may commence a civil action  to address circumstances which may present an imminent endangerment, and states that any such action shall be brought in the district court for the district in which... the alleged endangerment may occur. Id. § 6972(a) (emphasis added). Thus, this provision also refers to a formal action in court. Because the EQB has not filed an enforcement action in state or federal court, we hold that Chico's citizen suit is not subject to dismissal pursuant to the diligent prosecution bar.