Learn the Issues
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Does EPA Invalidate RINs?
No. The EPA has no process to “invalidate” RINs. Rather, the EPA alleges that RINs are not valid according to the standards in 40 C.F.R. §§ 80.1131 or 80.1431. As we stated in our March 2012 Interim Enforcement Response Policy: The EPA intends to notify the regulated community that it has alleged…
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Who is responsible for enforcement of cleaning up leaks from underground storage tanks?
The underground storage tank program is primarily implemented by states and territories. The first point of contact is the state or territorial regulatory agency with jurisdiction where the USTs are physically located. See state and territorial UST program offices for a list of contacts. The EPA UST program provides answers…
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Who can be a potentially responsible party at a hazardous waste site?
There are four classes of Superfund liable parties: Current owners and operators of a facility, Past owners and operators of a facility at the time hazardous substances were disposed, Parties that arranged for the disposal or transport of the hazardous substances, and Transporters of hazardous substances that selected the site…
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What is the role of the EPA's cleanup enforcement program?
The EPA's cleanup enforcement program protects human health and the environment by getting those responsible for contamination to either clean up or reimburse the EPA for its cleanup. The EPA uses several cleanup authorities independently and in combination to address specific cleanup situations. For more information on various cleanup enforcement…
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Do obligated parties and renewable fuel exporters that used invalid Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) in a given year need to replace all of those invalid RINs with valid RINs of the same year?
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) regulations provide a limited flexibility to carry a RIN deficit. Obligated parties that used invalid RINs may be able to show that they meet their Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) by: carrying a deficit forward in accordance with the limitations at 40 C.F.R. § 80.1427(b) and…
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What is cost recovery?
Cost recovery is the action that the federal government, states, and private parties may take to recover what they spent on cleanup activities at a site. If the EPA does the cleanup work using Superfund money, it will try to recover those costs from responsible parties. More information is available…
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What kind of liability is there for polluters under Superfund?
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (commonly referred to as Superfund), a potentially responsible party is subject to strict liability. Strict liability means that "fault" is not required in order to establish a party's liability under section 107 of the statute. The liability of a party is…
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What are the main defenses against Superfund liability?
Defenses to Superfund liability are available only if the release was caused by: An act of God, Acts of war, Acts/omissions of a third party with whom a potentially responsible party has no contractual relationship. For more information visit EPA's Defenses and Exemptions to Superfund Liability Web page.
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What is a Notice of Violation (NOV) Letter?
A Notice of Violation or “NOV” letter one step in the EPA’s investigation and enforcement of violations of EPA statutes and regulations. A NOV notifies the recipient that the EPA believes the recipient has committed one or more violations and provides instructions for coming into compliance with the statutes and…
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What help does EPA provide regulated parties in identifying and addressing potential Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) problems?
The EPA’s Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) provides several tools that can help RIN buyers avoid buying, selling and using RINs from questionable sources. If a RIN buyer has concerns about the validity of RINs it has purchased, the EPA's system allows it to “lock” those RINs and not have…
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2022 CERCLA RI/FS ASAOC and SOW Model Documents
Memorandum transmits the model documents used to negotiate an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent (ASAOC) and accompanying statement of work (SOW) with PRPs to perform a remedial investigation/feasibility study at a Superfund site.
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Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for States and Territories
Details for the State and Territory Non-Competitive Grants.
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Resources for Hazardous Waste Cleanups
This webpage compiles all the resources for the corrective action program in one place
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Risk Assessment
How the EPA conducts risk assessment to protect human health and the environment. Several assessments are included with the guidelines, models, databases, state-based RSL Tables, local contacts and framework documents used to perform these assessments.
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National Wetland Condition Assessment 2021 Site Evaluation Guidelines
National Wetland Condition Assessment 2021 Site Evaluation Guidelines
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National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2013-2014 Technical Support Document
PDF of the NRSA 2013-2014 technical support document
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National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2008-2009 Technical Report
PDF of the NRSA 2008-2009 technical report
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What Waters are Included in the National Aquatic Resource Surveys?
Each of the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) focuses on a specific water resource type - coastal, lakes, rivers & streams and wetlands.
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TRI Informational Materials
Collection of TRI outreach materials organized in a searchable table with keywords and filters. Many of these are printable factsheets/handouts.
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Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program-Frequent Questions
Frequent questions about EPA's Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program.