Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA)

1
Oil Pollution Act of 1990(OPA)

• By Casey Marshall
• Period 4

-On March 24, 1989, shortly after midnight, the
oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in
Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling more than
11 million gallons of crude oil. The spill was
the largest in U.S. history and tested the
abilities of local, national, and industrial
organizations to prepare for, and respond to, a
disaster of such magnitude. -The Draft year
began in 1990 -This accident was the reason why
the Oil Pollution Act was signed into law by
George H. Bush -The Amendment Year 1994 Under
the Act, the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) was
established. The office is responsible for
implementing the Oil Pollution Act for onshore
pipelines. Their objective is to decrease the
potential for pipeline spills, diminish
environmental consequences of spills, and ensure
quick response and well-planned spill cleanup.
Altogether further enhancement, and making it
more stable.
2

• The OPA improved the nation's ability to prevent
  and respond to oil spills by establishing
  provisions that expand the federal government's
  ability, and provide the money and resources
  necessary, to respond to oil spills. The OPA also
  created the national Oil Spill Liability Trust
  Fund, which is available to provide up to one
  billion dollars per spill incident.
• The OPA also increased penalties for regulatory
  noncompliance, broadened the response and
  enforcement authorities of the Federal
  government, and preserved State authority to
  establish law governing oil spill prevention and
  response.
• Oil Spills are affecting the environment but by
  having the Oil Pollution act, this prevents
  spills from occurring. Therefore, protection the
  environment we live in.

3

• The group that is responsible for this regulation
  and enforcement is the United States Congress.
• Pictured Below
• The United States Congress

• In order to maintain and insure that our nation
  and environment remains protected they have
  enforced that A company cannot ship oil into the
  United States until it presents a plan to prevent
  spills that may occur. It must also have a
  detailed containment and cleanup plan in case of
  an oil spill emergency
• Pictured below
• Exon Valdez Oil Spill