Which act established the Superfund?

• A. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
• B. Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
• C. Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
• D. Clean Water Act

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is which U.S. law created the Superfund to handle hazardous waste cleanup. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, enacted in 1980, established the Superfund program. It created a dedicated fund to pay for cleanup of abandoned or contaminated sites and gave EPA authority to respond to releases of hazardous substances. It also set liability rules so that those responsible for the contamination could be pursued to recover cleanup costs, and it created the National Priorities List to target sites for action.

The other acts address related but different topics. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act strengthened and reauthorized the program after CERCLA, not created it. The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act governs the safe transport of hazardous substances, not the establishment of a cleanup fund. The Clean Water Act focuses on controlling pollutant discharges into waters, not on creating the Superfund.