Environmental

The 'innocent landowner' defense under CERCLA does NOT protect a buyer who:

AConducted a Phase I ESA before purchase
BPurchased with knowledge of contamination or who did not perform appropriate inquiry✓ Correct
CInherited contaminated property involuntarily
DAcquired through foreclosure with prior Phase I review

Explanation

The innocent landowner defense requires that the buyer (1) had no knowledge of contamination at the time of purchase and (2) conducted all appropriate inquiries (Phase I ESA). Purchasing with knowledge or without adequate inquiry defeats the defense.

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