Insurance Giant Foots Bill for Toxic Cleanup in Montana and California
Published Date: 4/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Justice is settling a big environmental cleanup dispute involving Whittaker, Clark & Daniels, Inc. and some related companies. This deal means a major insurance company will pay cash to help clean up toxic sites in Montana and California. People have 30 days to share their thoughts before the plan moves forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Montana Superfund Cleanup Funding
The settlement requires the National Indemnity Company (NICO) to make a cash payment and establish an environmental response trust to help pay CERCLA cleanup costs at the Lockwood Solvent Superfund Site in Yellowstone County, Montana. The proposed consent decree was lodged April 3, 2026 and is the subject of a public comment period beginning with the notice published April 10, 2026.
California Superfund Sites: Cash Trust Established
The proposed consent decree requires National Indemnity Company (NICO) to pay cash and establish an environmental response trust to help cover CERCLA cleanup costs at the Omega Chemical Superfund Site in Whittier, California and the Cooper Drum Superfund Site in South Gate, California. The lodging of the proposed decree (April 3, 2026) and the April 10, 2026 notice open a public comment period on the settlement.
30-Day Public Comment Opportunity
The Department of Justice published the proposed consent decree on April 10, 2026 and opened a 30-day public comment period. All comments must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after April 10, 2026 and may be emailed or mailed to the Environment and Natural Resources Division; submissions may be placed on the public court docket.
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