July 10, 2012

Summer School: Clean Land: Hazardous Waste and Sites

Co-sponsored by:
The Environmental Law Institute &
DC Bar’s Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section

Each summer the ELI Summer School convenes a complimentary seminar series that serves as an introduction to the legal and policy foundations of environmental protection in the United States. The weekly brown-bag lunch seminars are taught by experts in their fields, and introduce the audience to the major environmental statutes (including NEPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, TSCA, RCRA and CERCLA) and land use law. The series began with an afternoon careers seminar followed by a networking reception.

Clean Land: Hazardous Waste and Sites

Panelists described federal law governing the management of hazardous wastes and the clean-up of hazardous waste sites, with emphasis on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The speakers discussed events that led to the enactment of CERCLA and how the allocation of responsibility for cleanup changed throughout the history of the statute. The discussion also addressed uncertainties that still exist in RCRA, such as the definition of solid waste and the rules for recycling.

Faculty:
Jeff Allmon, Associate, Paul Hastings
Michael Lukens, Associate, Paul Hastings

Additional Materials:
Powerpoint presentation
mp3 recording

CERCLA reference materials:
AAI Final Factsheet
Atlantic Research Alert
Common Elements
Enforcement First Policy
Model 104 Access Agreement
Musts for USTs
Universal Waste Summary

RCRA reference materials:
RCRA Definition of Solid Waste Summary
RCRA Civil Enforcement Response Policy
RCRA Civil Penalty Policy
RCRA Corrective Action Guidance
RCRA Generator Requirements
RCRA Hazardous Waste Identification
RCRA Overview: Definition of Solid Waste 2011 Proposed Rule
RCRA Treatment Storage Disposal
RCRA Underground Storage Tanks
RCRA Universal Waste
RCRA Used Oil