Opinion ID: 779057
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Summary of Preemption Analysis

Text: 119 In sum, we hold that CERCLA and HSAA do not preempt the field of hazardous waste remediation, either explicitly or by implication. CERCLA permits both states and their political subdivisions to enact hazardous waste regulations and pursue additional remedies, as long as those remedies do not conflict or interfere with the accomplishment and execution of [CERCLA's] full purpose and objective. Indus. Truck Ass'n, 125 F.3d at 1309. We also hold that MERLO is not preempted by the state law doctrine of preemption by duplication. 120 We conclude, however, that two provisions of MERLO — regarding the burden of proof for PRPs for establishing a defense to liability and that allow Lodi to require abatement procedures more stringent than the NCP — are preempted under the doctrine of conflict preemption. We further find that the sections of MERLO allowing Lodi to impose joint and several liability on other PRPs and to recover attorneys' fees may be preempted under the doctrine of conflict preemption if the district court finds that Lodi is a PRP. To the extent that MERLO protects Lodi from contribution claims by other PRPs, MERLO is also preempted if the district court finds that Lodi is a PRP (again, we express no opinion on whether Lodi is afforded protection from contribution by the Cooperative Agreement). The section of MERLO allowing direct actions against Insurers is preempted by California insurance law. Because we find that the invalid provisions are easily severable from the remainder of the ordinance, the balance of MERLO — including its provisions regarding natural resource damages, provisions that allow abatement procedures less stringent than the NCP, and provisions that concern information-gathering — remain viable and are not preempted by either state or federal law, regardless of whether the district court finds that Lodi is a PRP. Cohen, 219 Cal.Rptr. at 476, 707 P.2d 840.