What is the purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is fundamentally designed to address the urgent need for the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants. This act, often referred to as Superfund, provides for the identification and remediation of contaminated sites that pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Through CERCLA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is empowered to take action to assess contaminated sites, remove hazardous materials, and restore affected areas. The legislation also establishes liability for responsible parties, ensuring that those who are responsible for contamination clean up their mess or compensate for the cleanup efforts.

This focus on cleaning up contaminated sites distinguishes CERCLA from other environmental regulations, which may have different objectives, such as regulating emissions or promoting energy alternatives. For instance, the regulation of pollutant discharges into waterways falls under the Clean Water Act, while setting emission standards is covered under the Clean Air Act. Moreover, the promotion of renewable energy development is typically driven by legislation and initiatives separate from CERCLA's primary focus on hazardous waste cleanup.