A district court held that the federal government must answer claims that it is liable for the cleanup of World War II-era hazardous waste from 12 oil refineries in seven states. Property owners brought a contribution claim against the U.S. government under CERCLA, claiming that the government exerc...

A district court held that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) being regulated under TSCA does not bar a Wisconsin couple from bringing a citizen suit under RCRA against a neighboring property owner for releasing PCBs during the demolition of a building on its property. The couple alleged that the demo...

A district court held that gas companies will have to face monetary compensation claims under the the New Jersey Spill Act for releases at five sites. The case concerns releases of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) at five gas stations in the state of New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Enviro...

A district court held that St. Louis home owners' nuisance claims against a pharmaceutical company alleging migration of radioactive materials to their property were preempted by the Price-Anderson Act (PAA). The home owners claimed that their property had been damaged by soil, dust, and air contami...

The Sixth Circuit held that the Michigan statute of limitations does not bar a nuisance and negligence suit brought by residents against a petroleum company. The residents brought a class action suit against the petroleum company for ongoing discharges and contamination. The lower court dismissed th...

The Ninth Circuit held that RCRA's "anti-duplication" provision does not preclude its application to stormwater discharges where EPA has not regulated them under the CWA. Concerned citizens brought a citizen suit against a utility company under RCRA, claiming it allowed harmful chemicals used to tre...

The Fourth Circuit held that a proposed class of residents alleging that improper chemical disposal at a Frederick, Maryland, Army base contaminated their groundwater can't sue the government. The residents brought a claim under the Federal Torts Claim Act alleging that the Army negligently disposed...

A district court held that a solar energy company that entered into an agreement to close a landfill and turn it into a solar farm cannot recover closure costs under CERCLA. The solar company bought the property and entered into an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection...

A Louisiana appeals court held that an oil company's oilfield cleanup plan was properly rejected by a trial court. An oil company sued a larger oil company alleging environmental damage to its property caused by decades of oil and gas exploration activities. The larger company was found 100% liable ...

A district court held an Alabama industrial park owner can't pursue claims against the federal government for damage to its property that occurred during a Superfund cleanup. As part of the cleanup, EPA disposed of, cut, severed, tore up from the ground, and removed roughly 1,400 feet of track owned...