What law was enacted in 1980 to address hazardous waste and pollution cleanup?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980, was specifically designed to address the management of hazardous waste and the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances. The law established a framework for the identification and remediation of polluted sites, holding responsible parties liable for their contributions to the pollution and providing a funding mechanism through the Superfund program to facilitate the cleanup process.

This act empowered the federal government to respond to environmental emergencies and provided the necessary resources to clean up sites that posed a risk to public health and the environment. The establishment of the Superfund was crucial for addressing abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, allowing for timely intervention and remediation efforts.

The other options represent different environmental laws. The Oil Pollution Act focuses on the prevention and response to oil spills. The National Contingency Plan outlines procedures for responding to environmental emergencies, while the Clean Water Act primarily regulates discharges into water bodies and seeks to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters. However, none of these directly addresses the comprehensive cleanup and management of hazardous waste as effectively as CERCLA does.