Opinion ID: 2535963
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether 42 u.s. code section 9658 preempts mississippi code section 15-1-49(2).

Text: ¶ 19. Alternatively, Angle argues that if this Court finds her claims to be time-barred under Section 15-1-49, 42 U.S.Code Section 9658 preempts the state statute of limitations. Section 9658 provides in relevant part that: In the case of any action brought under State law for personal injury, or property damages, which are caused or contributed to by exposure to any hazardous substance, or pollutant or contaminant, released into the environment from a facility, if the applicable limitations period for such action (as specified in the State statute of limitations or under common law) provides a commencement date which is earlier than the federally required commencement date, such period shall commence at the federally required commencement date in lieu of the date specified in such State statute. 42 U.S.C. § 9658(a)(1) (2006) (emphasis added). The federally required commencement date is the date the plaintiff knew (or reasonably should have known) that the personal injury or property damages... were caused or contributed to by the hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant concerned. 42 U.S.C. § 9658(b)(4)(A) (2006) (emphasis added). ¶ 20 Preemption occurs in three circumstances: (1) where Congress explicitly preempts state law; (2) where preemption is implied because Congress has occupied the entire field; or (3) where preemption is implied because there is an actual conflict between federal and state law. Harmon v. Regions Bank, 961 So.2d 693, 697 (Miss.2007). It is clearly established that the party claiming preemption, in this case Angle, bears the burden of demonstrating that federal law preempts state law. See, e.g., Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee Corp., 464 U.S. 238, 255, 104 S.Ct. 615, 78 L.Ed.2d 443 (1984); Barnes ex rel. Barnes v. Koppers, Inc., 534 F.3d 357, 362 (5th Cir.2008). ¶ 21. We note that Congress enacted § 9658 as part of a bundle of amendments to CERCLA known as the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 ... [and that] the proper scope of § 9658 preemption has been the subject of much debate[.] Barnes ex. rel Barnes, 534 F.3d at 362. We agree with the Fifth Circuit that Congress intended to preempt less favorable state law tolling provisions for certain toxic tort cases[,] but, as previously noted, Angle bears the burden of persuasion. Id. at 363. Angle must persuade the court that Section 9658 preempts state law by showing, at a minimum, that her claims meet the six elements of that federal statute, namely: (1) property damage and/or personal injury (2) caused or contributed to by (3) a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant (4) released (5) into the environment (6) from a facility. 42 U.S.C. § 9658(a)(1) (2006). Although each of these six statutory elements has a specific statutory definition, we find it unnecessary to our analysis to further expound on these statutory elements. See 42 U.S.C. § 9601 (2006). ¶ 22. After reviewing the record, this Court cannot find any argument set forth by Angle that persuades us that the statutory elements of 42 U.S.Code Section 9658 preempt Mississippi Code 15-1-49. As the appellant before this Court, Angle has the burden to ensure that the record contains sufficient evidence to support an assignment of error on appeal. Queen v. Queen, 551 So.2d 197, 199 (Miss.1989). As previously noted, CERCLA is mentioned for the first time in the appellate record in Defendants' reply to Angle's response to the motion for summary judgment. The record is void of any evidence before the trial court that CERCLA preempts state law. Absent any evidence in the record to the contrary, we affirm the trial court's judgment that Angle failed to carry her burden of showing that 42 U.S.Code Section 9648 preempts Mississippi Code Section 15-1-49.