This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property and through 1986 could fund a cleanup — and recover costs already spent.
This natural gas compressor station, operated by Northwest Pipeline GP (Williams Gas Pipeline), used PCB-containing lubricating oils — including Aroclor 1254 and Pydraul AC — in its starting air compressors prior to the 1970s. Mid-1980s investigations identified PCB residuals across the compressor complexes, and an EPA Consent Order was issued on April 22, 1987 directing PCB remediation. Lead contamination from historical use of lead-based paints and arsenic migration into groundwater have also been documented at the site. Cleanup under the Voluntary Cleanup Program is ongoing, with groundwater compliance monitoring as part of the remedial action. That history could support an insurance cost recovery claim against carriers who issued insurance policies 40+ years ago.
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 Washington. 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.
PCB-containing oils were in active use at this compressor station well before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were standard and carried no effective pollution exclusion. The contamination documented here — PCBs, lead, arsenic, and metals in groundwater and surface water — traces directly to those pre-1986 industrial operations. Remediation costs already incurred under the 1987 EPA Consent Order and ongoing cleanup obligations represent expenditures that historical carriers may be obligated to recover and to fund 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.
What We Look For
- Historical insurance policies (pre-1986)
- Policy numbers, carrier names, and coverage periods
- Connection between contamination timing and policy period
- Evidence linking cleanup obligation to insured activity
What We Deliver
- Historical Coverage Chart
- Trigger Analysis & Property/Policy Nexus
- Coverage strategy with recommendations
- Insurance funding for your remediation
- Claims Management & Forensic Accounting
The Restorical Proven Process
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Contact UsThis analysis is preliminary and based on publicly available records. Restorical Research is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.