42 USC 11046 - Civil actions

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 11046.

Civil actions

(a)

Authority to bring civil actions

(1)

Citizen suits

Except as provided in subsection (e), any person may commence a civil action on his own behalf against the following:

(A)

An owner or operator of a facility for failure to do any of the following:

(i)

Submit a followup emergency notice under section 11004(c) of this title.

(ii)

Submit a material safety data sheet or a list under section 11021(a) of this title.

(iii)

Complete and submit an inventory form under

(iv)

Complete and submit a toxic chemical release form under section 11023(a) of this title.

(B)

The Administrator for failure to do any of the following:

(i)

Publish inventory forms under section 11022(g) of this title.

(ii)

Respond to a petition to add or delete a chemical under section 11023(e)(1) of this title within 180 days after receipt of the petition.

(iii)

Publish a toxic chemical release form under 11023(g) 1

 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “section”.

of this title.

(iv)

Establish a computer database in accordance with section 11023(j) of this title.

(v)

Promulgate trade secret regulations under section 11042(c) of this title.

(vi)

Render a decision in response to a petition under section 11042(d) of this title within 9 months after receipt of the petition.

(C)

The Administrator, a State Governor, or a State emergency response commission, for failure to provide a mechanism for public availability of information in accordance with section 11044(a) of this title.

(D)

A State Governor or a State emergency response commission for failure to respond to a request for tier II information under section 11022(e)(3) of this title within 120 days after the date of receipt of the request.

(2)

State or local suits

(A)

Any State or local government may commence a civil action against an owner or operator of a facility for failure to do any of the following:

(i)

Provide notification to the emergency response commission in the State under section 11002(c) of this title.

(ii)

Submit a material safety data sheet or a list under section 11021(a) of this title.

(iii)

Make available information requested under section 11021(c) of this title.

(iv)

Complete and submit an inventory form under section 11022(a) of this title containing tier I information unless such requirement does not apply by reason of the second sentence of section 11022(a)(2) of this title.

(B)

Any State emergency response commission or local emergency planning committee may commence a civil action against an owner or operator of a facility for failure to provide information under section 11003(d) of this title or for failure to submit tier II information under section 11022(e)(1) of this title.

(C)

Any State may commence a civil action against the Administrator for failure to provide information to the State under section 11042(g) of this title.

(b)

Venue

(1)

Any action under subsection (a) against an owner or operator of a facility shall be brought in the district court for the district in which the alleged violation occurred.

(2)

Any action under subsection (a) against the Administrator may be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

(c)

Relief

(d)

Notice

(1)

No action may be commenced under subsection (a)(1)(A) prior to 60 days after the plaintiff has given notice of the alleged violation to the Administrator, the State in which the alleged violation occurs, and the alleged violator. Notice under this paragraph shall be given in such manner as the Administrator shall prescribe by regulation.

(2)

No action may be commenced under subsection (a)(1)(B) or (a)(1)(C) prior to 60 days after the date on which the plaintiff gives notice to the Administrator, State Governor, or State emergency response commission (as the case may be) that the plaintiff will commence the action. Notice under this paragraph shall be given in such manner as the Administrator shall prescribe by regulation.

(e)

Limitation

(f)

Costs

(g)

Other rights

(h)

Intervention

(1)

By the United States

(2)

By persons

(Pub. L. 99–499, title III, § 326, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1755.)

cite as: 42 USC 11046