Opinion ID: 212272
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: CERCLA, the SREA, and the SWDA

Text: CERCLA is the federal statute that governs cleanup of hazardous industrial waste and charges the costs of cleanup to those responsible for the contamination. Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. Co. v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 1870, 1874, 173 L.Ed.2d 812 (2009). Two provisions of CERCLA §§ 107(a) and 113(f)allow private parties to recover expenses associated with cleaning up contaminated hazardous waste sites from other potentially responsible parties. 42 U.S.C. §§ 9607(a), 9613(f); see United States v. Atl. Research Corp., 551 U.S. 128, 131, 127 S.Ct. 2331, 168 L.Ed.2d 28 (2007). The SREA amended CERCLA by adding a limited exemption from liability under CERCLA for recyclers of hazardous materials, including battery recyclers, that meet certain standards. 42 U.S.C. § 9627(a)(1), (e). The SREA also allows recyclers sued in violation of the exemption to recover their attorneys' fees and experts' fees from the party that brought the improper action. Id. § 9627(j). The SWDA is the Texas counterpart to CERCLA. R.R. Street & Co. v. Pilgrim Enters., Inc., 166 S.W.3d 232, 238 (Tex. 2005). Like CERCLA, the SWDA contains a provision that permits private parties to bring contribution actions against other potentially responsible parties. See id. at 238. That provision states that [a] person who conducts a removal or remedial action that is approved by the [TCEQ] and is necessary to address a release or threatened release may bring suit in a district court to recover the reasonable and necessary costs of that action and other costs as the court, in its discretion, considers reasonable. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 361.344(a). This is the provision under which Defendants sued Plaintiffs in Texas state court.