Editors' Summary: The newest federal environmental statute, the Oil Pollution Act, became law in August 1990. The product of 15 years of congressional deliberation, the Act sets out an expansive new liability system for oil spills, as well as requirements for the oil industry and its suppliers, that will affect operations well into the 21st century.

In this Article, the author analyzes the Oil Pollution Act, exploring both the black-letter law of the statute and some of its likely effects.