OPA90 regulations

Definition

OPA90 regulations, also known as the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, are a set of laws enacted in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. These regulations aim to prevent and respond to oil spills in U.S. waters by establishing requirements for oil tankers and facilities.

Analogy

Think of OPA90 regulations as a safety net for our oceans. Just like how a safety net catches you if you fall, these regulations catch potential oil spills before they cause significant harm to marine ecosystems.

Related terms

Oil Spill Response Plan: A plan that outlines the steps and procedures to be followed in case of an oil spill.

Double Hull Tanker: A type of ship design with two layers of protective hulls, reducing the risk of an oil spill in case of a collision or grounding.

National Contingency Plan (NCP): A comprehensive plan developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides guidelines for responding to hazardous substance releases and oil spills.