Superfund legislation

Superfund legislation, officially known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, aims to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. It allows the federal government to identify and remediate polluted locations, ensuring the protection of public health and the environment. The law establishes a trust fund, financed by taxes on chemical and petroleum industries, to pay for cleanup efforts when responsible parties cannot be found. Superfund compels polluters to take responsibility for their actions and provides a framework for managing hazardous waste cleanup safely and effectively.