Opinion ID: 483602
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the statutory scheme of cercla

Text: 9 Recognizing the grave consequences arising from delays in cleaning up hazardous waste sites, Congress gave the EPA authority to direct clean-up operations prior to a final judicial determination of the rights and liabilities of the parties affected. Thus, if the EPA has determined that a hazardous substance has been or is likely to be released at a facility, and has issued an order to the responsible party directing clean-up operations, it has several enforcement options available. 10 First, the EPA may bring an action in federal district court seeking an order directing compliance with its order using the contempt powers of the court as a sanction for non-compliance. See CERCLA Sec. 106(a), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9606(a). 3 Second, it may bring an action in federal district court seeking to impose fines of up to $5,000 a day for non-compliance. See CERCLA Sec. 106(b), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9606(b). 4 Finally, if the EPA determines that a release of a hazardous substance may pose an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare and that the responsible parties will not properly respond, it may arrange for the required clean-up itself and pay for it using funds from the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (Superfund) created as part of CERCLA. See CERCLA Sec. 104(a), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(a) (authorizing the EPA to conduct clean-up); CERCLA Sec. 221, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9631 (creating Superfund); CERCLA Sec. 111(a), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9611(a) (authorizing the EPA to pay clean-up costs from the Superfund). 5 11 Since Superfund money is limited, Congress clearly intended private parties to assume clean-up responsibility. In addition, it sought to ensure that responsible parties would not delay clean-up activities until the EPA felt it necessary to perform the required work itself. Thus, in addition to allowing the EPA to bring an action for actual costs incurred by the Superfund in conducting the clean-up, see CERCLA Sec. 107(a), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9607(a), 6 Congress established a cause of action allowing the EPA, in its discretion, to bring a claim in federal district court to recover up to three times the amount of any costs incurred by the Superfund from any person who is liable for a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance and who fails without sufficient cause to properly comply with the EPA's order. See CERCLA Sec. 107(c)(3), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9607(c)(3). 7