Environmental -- 2016



Pakootas v. Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd.   (9th Circuit)

Expansive interpretation of CERCLA

The NAM filed an amicus brief opposing the expansion of arranger liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). This is an appeal from a lower court holding that a Canadian company was liable as an “arranger” of the “disposal” of the hazardous materials under CERCLA after airborne particles from its mining operations landed on the earth and water of the United States. As emissions can travel long distances by air, expanding arranger liability will expose manufacturers to expensive litigation. The NAM’s brief argued that both the plain text of CERCLA and controlling precedent make it clear that the statutory definition of “disposal” is not satisfied by the mere emission of hazardous substances into the air, even if portions of the emissions later come to rest at a facility. In a win for manufacturers, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the trial court’s holding.


Related Documents:
NAM amicus brief  (August 11, 2015)