What does Executive Order 12580 clarify regarding federal agencies?

Executive Order 12580, signed in 1987, clarifies the responsibilities of federal agencies with respect to the cleanup of contaminated sites designated as Superfund sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The order outlines that federal agencies have the lead responsibility for the cleanup and remediation of hazardous substances at sites they own or are responsible for, which directly aligns with the choice that states they are responsible for cleanup of Superfund sites in their jurisdiction.

This order is significant because it emphasizes the obligation of federal agencies not only to identify contaminated sites but also to actively engage in the cleanup process. The implications of this executive order are crucial for the protection of public health and the environment, as it holds federal agencies accountable for managing and mitigating the impacts of hazardous waste sites under their jurisdiction.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the responsibilities laid out by the executive order. For instance, claiming that agencies are not responsible for environmental cleanup contradicts the explicit duties assigned to them by this directive. Likewise, saying they must delegate cleanup responsibilities to state contractors overlooks the federal agencies' primary duty to manage these sites. Lastly, suggesting that agencies can ignore Superfund site regulations would be directly contrary to the mandates of both the order and