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The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (also known as CERCLA or Superfund) provides for a federal tax on chemical and petroleum industries (or “Superfund”) to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites. It also provides federal planning and funding for responses to accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment.
Through CERCLA, EPA has the power to seek out those parties responsible for any release and assure their cooperation in the cleanup.
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 reauthorized CERCLA to continue cleanup activities around the country. Several site-specific amendments, definition clarifications, and technical requirements were added to the legislation, including additional enforcement authorities.
EPA implements CERCLA in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Superfund site identification, monitoring, and response activities in states are coordinated through the state environmental protection or waste management agencies.
Among the many requirements, facilities must: