The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90): Safeguarding U.S. Waters Through Regulation, Response, and Responsibility

The catastrophic Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989 served as a wake-up call to both lawmakers and the maritime industry. More than 11 million gallons of crude oil were released into Alaska’s pristine Prince William Sound, devastating marine ecosystems and communities that depended on them. In response, the United States Congress enacted the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90)—a comprehensive framework designed to prevent,…