EPA v. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico et al. - Vega Baja

Case summary

Requiring the potentially responsible parties to implement the Operation & Maintenance and institutional controls required after the construction of the remedy selected in the September 30, 2010 Record of Decision for the Site; reimburse the United States past costs which have been incurred; and make payment of future response costs which will be incurred in overseeing the implementation of the remedy. By letter dated October 29, 2024, the United States, on behalf of the EPA, proposed a resolution of the United States' claims against the Puerto Rico Land Authority for stipulated penalties regarding two Superfund Sites in Puerto Rico: the Murcielago Pesticide Warehouse Superfund Site (Murcielago) and the Vega Baja Landfill Superfund Site (Vega Baja). The stipulated penalty claims arise from the Land Authority's failure to make payments as required under settlement agreements addressing cleanup of environmental contamination at the sites pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 960 1-9675.

Defendants (4)

• Puerto Rico Housing DepartmentNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Puerto Rico Electric Power AuthorityNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Commonwealth of Puerto RicoNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Puerto Rico Land AuthorityNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• VEGA BAJA SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

  ROAD 674, KM 2, RIO ABAJO WARD, PR, 00763

  Registry ID: 110009344469

• VEGA BAJA SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

  PR-674 KM 2 BO RIO ABAJO, VEGA BAJA, PR, 00693

  Registry ID: 110071100782

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order
• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico et al. - Vega Baja (Publics)entered 2013-04-25

  Primary law: CERCLA

• Puerto Rico Land Authorityentered 2024-10-29

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2012-09-26Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2012-09-27Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2012-12-04Complaint Filed With Court
• 2024-10-28Final Order Lodged
• 2024-10-29Demand for Stipulated Penalties
• 2024-10-29Final Order Entered