The Oil Pollution Act

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990

Abstract

In this paper I will describe The Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The provisions of this law will be discussed while providing background information. I will discuss why this law was initiated as well as why it was passed. Also, I will discuss the economic impact this law has and the fines for violating this law. I will provide data that the economic benefit of this law produces, and what it cost to implement and maintain this law. Lastly, I will give my opinion on whether this law improves the environmental situation.

The date the law was passed

Describe the law; what are the provisions of the law?

Background information: What initiated the law? Why was it passed?

What economic impact was generated by the law? What kinds of costs, fines, or economic benefits are associated with the law? Provide economic data to support this.

Do you feel that this particular environmental law has improved the environment/situation? Why or why not?

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990

In August of 1990, The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) was signed. This law limits civil liability for oil spills brought about by tankers and vessels that are drilling for oil within the United States' territorial waters (Investopedia.com, n.d., Definition of 'Oil Pollution Act Of 1990'). Because of the Exxon Valdez incident, the federal government expanded its ability to avoid and to act in response to oil spills. The OPA helped form provisions that improved the government's capability to provide funding and necessary resources in order to prevent and respond to oil spills. By creating a national Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, the federal government was able to grant up to one billion dollars in assistance per oil spill. New prerequisites for both the government and industry concerning contingency planning were implemented by the OPA, therefore founding The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). By expanded this plan into three tiers, the government has been able to effective respond, control, and in some events control oil spills. 1. Public and private response efforts are to be directed by the federal government when there are certain types of spills. 2. Area Committees that consist of local, state, and federal officials must gather all details of spills. 3. Area Contingency Plans that required owners/operators of vessels to develop their own Facility Response Plan (Epa.gov, n.d., Oil Pollution Act Overview).

Some of the key provisions of The Oil Pollution Act are 1002(a) the responsible individual for a craft or facility in