FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	ENR

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1998                                                                                                                                  (202) 616-2771

                                                                                                                                                                                              TDD (202) 514-1888




STATEMENT BY LOIS J. SCHIFFER


Assistant Attorney General


Environment and Natural Resources Division








	WASHINGTON, D.C. --  The Supreme Court ruled today in the
case U.S. vs. Bestfoods that a parent company may be held liable
for pollution at a subsidiary's facility if the parent company
becomes involved in the operation of that facility.  

	

	Lois J. Schiffer, Assistant Attorney General in charge of
the Environment Division issued the following statement:




	"Today's decision reaffirms the principle that polluters
should pay for the messes they make and not leave their cleanup
bills for the American taxpayers to pick up. With this decision,
the United States will continue to be able to hold accountable
those who degrade our environment and endanger the public
health."  




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