What is another name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) is commonly referred to as Superfund. This name originates from the program established to fund the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and to address the dangers posed by abandoned or uncontrolled toxic waste sites throughout the United States. The legislation, enacted in 1980, allows the federal government to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment.

Superfund is significant because it not only provides for cleaning up contaminated sites but also aims to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions, thereby promoting environmental protection and public safety. The program is vital for managing complex environmental issues and has led to the cleanup of thousands of sites across the nation. This connection to hazardous waste management and cleanup solidifies why the term "Superfund" is synonymous with CERCLA.