Superfund Law

The Superfund Law, officially known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), was enacted in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites in the U.S. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify contaminated sites, assess risks, and establish cleanup plans. The law also holds responsible parties—such as companies that caused pollution—liable for funding cleanup efforts, ensuring the environment and public health are protected from dangerous waste. Overall, Superfund provides the legal framework for addressing and remediating polluted sites to prevent harm to communities and ecosystems.