EPA v. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico et al. - PROMESA

Case summary

Requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) represent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the proceedings that are initiated by Puerto Rico government entities under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), 48 U.S.C. 2164. The entities that have filed Title III petitions thus far include several that have preexisting obligations under federal environmental laws and judicial consent decrees or administrative enforcement agreements with EPA - namely, the three Defendants. It is possible that Title III petitions will be filed by other Puerto Rico entities in the future. It is prudent for DOJ to participate in these proceedings, as appropriate, on behalf of EPA, to ensure the debtors' continued compliance with their federal environmental obligations.

Defendants (14)

• Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority
• Metropolitan Bus Authority
• Municipality of San Juan
• Municipality of Ponce
• PR Dept. of Natural and Environmental Resources
• PR Dept. of Transportation and Public Works
• Puerto Rico Land Authority
• Puerto Rico Ports Authority
• Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company
• Puerto Rico Department of Education
• Landfill Technologies of Arecibo Corp.
• Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation AuthorityNamed in complaint
• Puerto Rico Electric Power AuthorityNamed in complaint
• Commonwealth of Puerto RicoNamed in complaint

Facilities (2)

• VEGA BAJA SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

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

  Registry ID: 110071100782

• PUERTO RICO ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY PALO SECO POWER PLANT

  PR-165 KM. 3.8, LEVITTOWN, PR, 00949

  Registry ID: 110000607950

Statutes cited

• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants
• CWA 504 — Emergency Powers
• TSCA 203 — EPA Regulations - Asbestos in Schools
• SDWA 1412/1414 — National Drinking Water Regulations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit
• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery
• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• CAA 112D — MACT Standards
• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2017-07-17Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2017-07-21Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2018-05-23Complaint Filed With Court