Keyspan Gas East Corp. v. Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Gische, J.

This is an insurance coverage dispute involving long-term, gradual environmental property damage caused by pollution from manufactured gas plants (MGPs) owned by plaintiff and/or its predecessors (collectively Keyspan). Hazardous waste from the MGPs leached into groundwater over a protracted period of time. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) made claims against Keyspan, requiring it to assume the costs of investigation and cleanup of the environmental contamination. Keyspan, in turn, filed claims with its insurer, defendant Century…