Which federal act established authority for the Environmental Protection Agency to identify abandoned hazardous waste sites and pursue parties responsible for releases?

• A. CERCLA, also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (1980), or Superfund
• B. Clean Air Act
• C. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• D. Safe Drinking Water Act

Answer: (A)

The question tests understanding of which law created the framework for the EPA to locate abandoned hazardous waste sites and hold responsible parties accountable for cleanup. This authority comes from CERCLA, enacted in 1980 and commonly known as Superfund. CERCLA established the Superfund program, authorizing the EPA to identify abandoned or inactive hazardous waste sites, assess releases, and compel cleanup or recover costs from potentially responsible parties, including past owners, generators, and arrangers. It also created a mechanism to fund cleanups and set up a National Priorities List to target sites most in need of remediation. In comparison, the Clean Air Act focuses on controlling air pollution, RCRA governs the management of hazardous waste from cradle to grave at active facilities, and the Safe Drinking Water Act sets standards for drinking water quality. None of those provide the same retroactive authority to identify abandoned sites and pursue liable parties in the way CERCLA does.