Man Bites Dog: Exxon Sues US in Superfund Case, Seeks $45M for Toxic Site Cleanup
Ordinarily, it’s the government that sues private corporations over alleged environmental contamination.
But in an unusual role reversal, Exxon Mobil has filed suit against the United States under the so-called Superfund law, seeking $45 million to clean up a toxic refinery site in Texas, reports the Blog of Legal Times.
The suit contends that the U.S. should be responsible for the cleanup costs because the alleged environmental damage was done during World War II when the feds had assumed substantial control of the site.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly known as the Superfund law, requires the government to reimburse Exxon for the $45 million it has spent on clean-up costs, the company contends in a U.S. Court of Federal Claims suit.
The article doesn’t include any comment from the government.
