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The article informs that cleaning up contaminated land has become the most expensive and controversial aspect of American environmental policy. Obligations to clean upland arise under a number of programmes. Some of the them impose burdens mainly on the private sector. Others, such as the need to treat old military sites owned by the departments of energy and defence, will fall on the tax-payer. Most of the debate about cleaning contaminated sites has concentrated on the Superfund programme.

The article reports that twelve states, along with several other organizations in the U.S., are suing to force the country to limit emissions of carbon dioxide. The Supreme Court heard argument in the case on November 29, 2006, and while the outcome is yet to be determined, it is speculated that the political mood seems to be shifting in favor of stricter government action to counter climate change. Further details of the case and the debate are explored.