Transmittal memorandum, guidance, and three model documents addressing the potential applicability of the bona fide prospective purchaser (BFPP) provision under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, commonly referred to as Superfund) to tenants.  The model comfort/status letters are for lessees at renewable energy projects. Issued 12/5/2012.

The model comfort/status letters for lessees at renewable energy projects are available in Word format from the Cleanup Enforcement Model Language and Sample Documents Database. The models are:

1. Federal Superfund Interest and No Current Federal Superfund Interest Comfort/Status Letter – RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative
2. No Previous Federal Interest Comfort/Status Letter – RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative
3. State Action Comfort/Status Letter – RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative

On August 25, 2015, the EPA issued the Revised Policy on the Issuance of Superfund Comfort/Status Letters. The revised policy discusses the background of the EPA’s issuance of Superfund comfort/status letters and describes the purpose and intended use of these letters.

Transmittal Package PDF File

The guidance in the 2012 transmittal package supersedes the 1/14/2009 Enforcement Discretion Guidance Regarding the Applicability of the Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Definition in CERCLA 101(40) to Tenants policy document.

• Transmittal of “Revised Enforcement Guidance Regarding the Treatment of Tenants Under the CERCLA Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Provision” and Model Comfort/Status Letters for Lessees at Renewable Energy Projects (PDF)(22 pp, 1 MB, 12-5-2012)