The interpretation and application of a pollution exclusion in a commercial general liability ("CGL") policy is often a fact-specific and jurisdiction-specific exercise. That said, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit's recent decision, applying North Dakota law and interpreting such an exclusion in a CGL policy, should command the attention of the entire natural gas industry.

At issue in Hiland Partners GP Holdings, LLC, et al. v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 15-3936 (8th Cir. Jan. 31, 2017), was an explosion at a natural gas processing facility that "receives gas and hydrocarbon products and processes them into byproducts for sale."  Appellants, who owned and operated the facility, were an additional insured under a third party's CGL policy.

That policy, however, included a pollution exclusion that, in relevant part, precluded coverage for "'[b]odily Injury' or 'property damage' arising out of the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or escape of pollutants." "Pollutants," in turn, was defined to mean "any solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals and waste" (emphasis added).  Neither "irritant" nor "contaminant" was defined in the policy.

As the Eighth Circuit explained, "[c]ondensate is one of the marketable byproducts derived from the facility's processing of gas and hydrocarbon products. It is a flammable, volatile, and explosive product."  Indeed, it was a hydrocarbon condensate tank overflowing that led to the explosion, seriously injuring a subcontractor's employee.  When that individual sued appellants, appellants sought coverage under the aforementioned CGL policy.  The insurer, however, denied coverage based on the pollution exclusion.

Unfortunately, the Eighth Circuit sided with the insurer, affirming the district court's grant of summary judgment to the insurer. After considering dictionary definitions of "irritant" and "contaminant," the appellate court concluded that "[c]ondensate is ... a contaminant because flammable, volatile, and explosive liquid and gas has the ability to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect the environment."

Reading the exclusion broadly, the Eighth Circuit also rejected appellants' argument "that even if condensate has the inherent properties of a contaminant, it does not fall within the policy's definition of a contaminant because the condensate caused harm in a manner other than by contamination." After reviewing the allegations in the complaint in the underlying bodily injury litigation, the appellate court concluded:  "Because condensate is a contaminant due to its flammable, volatile, and explosive properties and because [the subcontractor's employee's] injuries were the result of an explosion, the nature of the harm here is directly related to the nature of the contaminant" (footnote omitted).

The Eighth Circuit's coverage-defeating opinion is a stark reminder of how courts may read pollution exclusions broadly to preclude coverage. It is also a reminder than when seeking coverage for an explosion or other catastrophic event, a policyholder is well served to consult coverage counsel who can assist it in addressing such exclusions, interpretations, and other coverage issues.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.