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Environmental litigation

Journal Article · · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)
OSTI ID:5536576
 [1]
  1. Edwards and Angell, New York, NY (United States)

Environmental risks associated with collateral are an increasingly important aspect of lending transactions. The concerns include liability for cleanup costs and natural resource damages, loss of value of the collateral due to environmental contamination and impairment of the borrower's ability to repay the loan as a result of environmental liabilities. Under CERCLA, lenders incur potential liability in three ways: by becoming the owner or operator of a facility, by holding indicia of ownership as a secured creditor while participating in management, or by becoming a generator of waste; that is, a person who arranges for transport and disposal of hazardous substances to a facility from which there is a release or threatened release. Although most lenders are vigorously pursuing audits, the liabilities that will be arising at today's contaminated sites derive from loans and perhaps foreclosures that may have created owner, operator or generator status many years ago.

OSTI ID:
5536576
Journal Information:
Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 40:7; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English