1. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990
By Kim Corgan

2. What is the OPA?
The Oil Pollution Act, OPA, strengthened EPA’s ability to use taxes on oil to prevent and clean up oil spills that have a huge negative impact on the environment. This act is needed when the party responsible for a catastrophic oil spill is unwilling to contribute. Oil storage facilities are required to submit detailed plans on how they will respond to the oil spills. This Act also requires regulations for aboveground storage facilities and the development of Area Contingency Plans.

3. What Agency/Group is Responsible?
The EPA, Federal government, and Office of Emergency Management are in charge of regulating and responding to oil spills according to the Oil Pollution Act.