A Comment on The Limits of Liability in Promoting Safe Geologic Sequestration of CO_2

摘要

David Adelman and Ian Duncan provide a reality-check for potential liability arising out of geologic sequestration in their article, The Limits of Liability in Promoting Safe Geologic Sequestration of CO_2. As a Research Scientist in the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, Ian Duncan gives a much-needed scientific perspective on the material risks that geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide ("CO_2") actually poses, and using law and economic analysis, Professor Adelman, the Harry Reasoner Chair in Law at the University of Texas, adeptly translates how these risks might be mitigated through common law and ex ante regulation. Their proposed approach, new federal legislation that combines regulation and tiered-tort liability, is sensible given the technical characteristics of geologic sequestration, and would adequately address the probable risks.