Frank Lautenberg: “we think our proposal addresses many of the concerns that have been raised about Superfund's liability system. It would…”

“we think our proposal addresses many of the concerns that have been raised about Superfund's liability system. It would increase fairness, increase efficiency, and reduce transaction costs. At the same time, it would protect both the pace and protectiveness of cleanups. It would provide greater fairness and efficiency by establishing an allocation system under which those responsible for pollution pay only their fair share. Under this system, they would be able to do this quickly and without litigation. Second, the proposal increases fairness and efficiency, and cuts down on lawsuits, by pulling out of the process people who never should have been pulled in. This is accomplished through a series of exemptions and limitations on liability for small businesses, contributors of small amounts of waste, municipalities, charities, lenders, and other parties. The proposal would exempt as many as 30,000 small businesses from Superfund liability. It would limit the liability of up to 525 municipal owners and operators of municipal landfills. It would exempt countless individuals, businesses, and small nonprofit organizations that otherwise would be liable as a generator or transporter of municipal solid waste. It would exempt cities whose involvement is due solely to household trash created by its citizens. And it would exempt approximately 10,000 contributors of small amounts of waste.”