The Oil Pollution Act of 1990: Legislation in the wake of a crisis
The pattern is nothing new. Congress, like any other institution, needs nudging-sometimes gentle, sometimes jolting-before it responds. An environmental crisis prompts a congressional reaction, sometimes an overreaction. The discovery of contamination at Love Canal prompted enactment of Superfund; the disaster at Bhopal, India, led to the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act; and the collision of the Exxon Valdez brought about the enactment of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. For better or for worse, the pattern of environmental crisis and legislative response remains. March 24, 1989, marked the beginning of a new age in federal and state oil spill law. After the Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh reef and spewed 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, Alaska congressional debate on comprehensive federal legislation would never be the same. The stalemate that characterized previous congressional efforts seemed to disappear overnight. Major differences between the two chambers were either eliminated or reduced, and only 4 major issues had to be negotiated: international protocols; technical requirements relating to double hulls; cargo owner liability; state and private industry roles in oil spill contingency planning, response and cleanup efforts. This article discusses the legal manuvering and major provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
- OSTI ID:
- 198248
- Journal Information:
- Natural Resources and Environment, Vol. 10, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Fal 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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