This property has a documented history as a bulk fuel distribution terminal predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could help fund the ongoing and future cleanup under Oregon DEQ oversight.

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Oregon — and those policies may provide coverage that remains enforceable today. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

The petroleum contamination at this property originated from bulk plant operations that began decades before 1986 and underground storage tanks that remained in use until a gasoline release was reported to Oregon DEQ in 1988. Oregon DEQ's ongoing oversight — including groundwater remediation, monitoring, and the Willamette River sediment investigation for PCB contamination — represents substantial cleanup costs this property still faces, and historical pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during those years of bulk plant operations may be obligated to fund that work going forward.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.