What is the Superfund Act?

The Superfund Act is a federal law passed in 1980 to help clean up hazardous wastes and contaminated sites. It is also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Act created a fund to which polluting companies must contribute, which is then used to reduce environmental contamination. In New York, the Superfund Act helps to protect public health and the environment by providing resources to clean up sites where hazardous materials have been released or have been found to be in the environment. The Superfund Act addresses two main issues in New York: liability and restoration. Liability refers to the legal responsibility of entities responsible for creating pollution. Restoration takes into consideration the responsibility of the polluter to pay for clean-up costs. The Superfund Act requires a potential polluter to pay for cleanup costs, investigate the extent of the contamination, and, if necessary, take corrective action. In addition, the Superfund Act helps public officials in New York assess and respond to potential and actual hazardous waste sites. Through its rigorous investigations and enforcement of the law, the Superfund Act helps reduce threats to the environment and human health. Cleanups of hazardous waste sites support public health by reducing contaminants in soil, water, and air, helping to protect communities from the long-term effects of hazardous waste.

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What is the Superfund Act?

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