Oil Pollution Act (OPA)

Signed into law August 1990This act amends the Clean Water Act (1972)

This act is National LawMatt Vedrani

• This act is a response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.• This act was created to increase oil spill prevention measures and to

establish new requirements for oil transportation, oil cleanups, and response capabilities of the federal government.

• The Oil Liability Trust Fund was created with OPA and is able to provide up to one billion dollars per spill incident.

• The most important amendment is the fine for failing to notify the appropriate Federal agency of a discharge is increased from a maximum of $10,000 to a maximum of $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization. The maximum prison term is also increased. The penalties for violations have a maximum of $250,000 and 15 years in prison.

• The Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 amended portions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 by providing exemption liability for passive financial entities who are less important in vessel lease financing transactions.

• The act created the OPS (Office of Pipeline Safety) to regulate and enforce this act.

• The OPS participates with the National Response Team, led by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and United States Coast Guard