The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was originally passed in which year?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was originally passed in which year?

• A. 1990
• B. 1970
• C. 1985
• D. 1980

Answer: (D)

CERCLA created the Superfund program to clean up hazardous waste sites and assign liability for their cleanup. The law was originally passed in 1980, marking the moment the federal government established this framework and funding mechanism for rapid polluted-site cleanup. It wasn’t until 1986 that it was significantly expanded by the SARA amendments, but the initial passage occurred in 1980. The other years listed correspond to different environmental milestones or later changes, not the original enactment of CERCLA.

CERCLA created the Superfund program to clean up hazardous waste sites and assign liability for their cleanup. The law was originally passed in 1980, marking the moment the federal government established this framework and funding mechanism for rapid polluted-site cleanup. It wasn’t until 1986 that it was significantly expanded by the SARA amendments, but the initial passage occurred in 1980. The other years listed correspond to different environmental milestones or later changes, not the original enactment of CERCLA.