Prevention and Response Branch - Funding

Under different regulatory authorities and through different agencies, the federal government offers the oppurtunity for obtaining reimbursement for costs incurred during emergency responses. EPA administers the Local Governments Reimbursement Program to provide funding to local governments to offset the costs of responding to hazardous substance emergencies. The U.S. Coast Guard administers the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which makes funds available for responses to oil spills. 

Both reimbursement options are financed by taxes on industry and are to be used only when the responsible parties cannot be identified or refuse to cooperate with the government.