Title: Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Headings: Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Oil Pollution Act of 1990
What Is the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Key Takeaways
Understanding the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Liability Under the OPA

Content: Key Takeaways
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 expanded the power of federal agencies to prevent and punish mass oil spills. It was passed by the U.S. Congress in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. The act was passed as an amendment to the Clean Water Act of 1972. Understanding the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
The Oil Pollution Act was designed to establish a comprehensive federal framework that would prevent future spills and develop cleanup procedures in the case of a spill-related emergency. Primary enforcement and administration of the act are by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Before passage of the OPA, federal pollution legislation had been an ineffective web of weak enforcement and insufficient liability for polluters. The OPA sought to solve this problem by establishing stricter standards for the maritime transportation of oil: New requirements for construction of vessels and training of personnel. Contingency planning requirements. Enhanced federal response capability.