Civil Liability Relief for Brownfields Developers

Research output: Chapter

Abstract

The paper examines the extent to which state and federal governments in the United States seek to stimulate brownfields redevelopment by legislating immunity against third-party civil (common law) liability for "innocent" owners or operators who purchase contaminated land. Surveying developments in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and Virginia, it shows that such liability relief is uncommon, narrow, and largely unknown to brownfields lawyers. It concludes by identifying implications for Canadian lawmakers grappling with similar issues.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnvironmental Law
Subtitle of host publicationThe Year in Review 2006
EditorsStanley Berger, Dianne Saxe
Place of PublicationAurora
PublisherCanada Law Book
Pages127-143
Publication statusPublished - 2007

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