The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) Natalie Prussak Period 6

OPA Name: The Oil Pollution Act Draft Date: 1990 Amendment Dates: 2005 National (United States) Function: The OPA improved the nation's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills by establishing provisions that expand the federal government's ability, and provide the money and resources necessary, to respond to oil spills. The OPA also created the national Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is available to provide up to one billion dollars per spill incident. In addition, the OPA provided new requirements for contingency planning both by government and industry. Finally, the OPA increased penalties for regulatory noncompliance, broadened the response and enforcement authorities of the Federal government, and preserved State authority to establish law governing oil spill prevention and response.

OPA Environmental Issues affected: The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) was signed by George H. Bush in 1990, primarily in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska that discharged more than 10 million gallons of crude oil into the Prince William Sound. The Act was designed to expand oil spill prevention measures and to establish new requirements for oil transportation, cleanups, and response capabilities of the federal government and industry. Agency/ Group Responsible for Regulation and Enforcement: EPA, Coast Guard