Peter owned contaminated land but he had only deposited a very small amount of non-toxic contaminants on the land.Under CERCLA's "de minimus" defense, he will not have to pay for any of the cleanup.

Question

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Under CERCLA, the "de minimis" defense may reduce or eliminate a party's liability if their contribution to the contamination is minimal, but it does not automatically exempt them from cleanup responsibilities, especially if they are the current owner or operator of the site. Liability under CERCLA is strict, joint, and several, meaning any responsible party can be held liable for the entire cleanup, regardless of the extent of their contribution.

Peter Owned Contaminated Land but He Had Only Deposited a Very