What legislation is commonly known as the Superfund?

The correct answer, CERCLA, stands for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. It was enacted in 1980 to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills. The legislation created a framework for the creation of the Superfund program, which allows for the federal government to respond to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. This act provides the government with the authority to identify responsible parties, compel them to clean up contaminated sites, or finance cleanups when responsible parties cannot be identified or are unable to pay.

The other legislative acts listed focus on different aspects of environmental protection and regulation. For instance, RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) deals with the management and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, while NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) establishes a framework for environmental review of federal projects. TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) regulates the introduction of new or existing chemicals. Each of these acts plays a significant role in environmental legislation, but CERCLA specifically addresses hazardous waste site cleanups through the Superfund program.