article thumbnail

U.S. Fifth Circuit Greenlights Contribution Action for Purely Economic Damages Under Oil Pollution Act (OPA)

The Energy Law Blog

9, 2017), the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held for the first time that a Responsible Party under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) has a statutory claim for contribution to recover purely economic damages from a partially liable third party. Marquette Transportation Company, L.L.C. , 16-30459 (5th Cir.

article thumbnail

NRDA Settlement Reached for 2014 Galveston Bay Oil Spill

The Energy Law Blog

On December 3, 2021, the Department of Justice published a notice in the Federal Register of a settlement between Federal and State Trustees and Kirby Inland Marine, LP (“Kirby”) to resolve natural resource damages from a 2014 oil release. Additionally, Kirby paid $4.9 In November 2021, the U.S.

2014 52
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

U.S. Fifth Circuit Affirms $20 Million Judgment Against Barge Owner as Responsible Party Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990

The Energy Law Blog

The TINTOMARA, a tanker, collided with the DM-932, causing the barge to break away and ultimately sink in the Mississippi River resulting in the spill of approximately 300,000 gallons of oil into the River. As owner of the leaking barge, ACL was deemed the responsible party under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA ’90”).

article thumbnail

2023 Begins With Increased (or Unlimited) Liability for Vessel Owners

The Energy Law Blog

A Regulatory Increase to the Limits of Liability for Oil Pollution and an Amendment Exempting Small Passenger Vessels from the Limitation of Liability Act Present New Challenges for Vessel Owners U.S. First, the Coast Guard announced [1] increases to the liability limits in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”). [2]

2023 98
article thumbnail

Offshore Companies Face Surge in BSEE Enforcement Actions and Penalties

The Energy Law Blog

1] The data used to compile the statistics in this section are available at [link] [2] Pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Secretary of the Interior adjusts the maximum civil penalty on a regular basis to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index. 1 RMMLF-INST PAPER NO. 7 (2016). [1]

2009 52
article thumbnail

Policy News: June 28, 2021

ESA

Chuck Schumer (D-NY) ’s Fluke Fairness Act ( S. House Natural Resources Committee: Committee members held a legislative hearing for a dozen oceans-related bills to the full House, as well as a package of ocean bills titles, the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act ( H.R. This position oversees the US Forest Service.

2021 105