Under the Superfund law (CERCLA),
A) remedial actions are official short-term responses to restore immediate control
B) high-risk sites are placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) through a risk-ranking system
C) only current waste site owners are potentially responsible parties (PRPs)
D) EPA has no authority to force responsible parties to pay for damages

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Superfund law or CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) allows the EPA to identify high-risk sites and place them on the National Priorities List (NPL) through a risk-ranking system. This enables the EPA to prioritize Superfund site cleanups based on the level of risk they pose to human health and the environment. The NPL also triggers enforcement actions against potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for the cleanup costs. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. A is incorrect because remedial actions are long-term responses to clean up or permanently eliminate hazardous substances, rather than immediate control. C is incorrect because PRPs can include past and present owners and operators of the site and those who generated or transported hazardous substances to the site, not just current owners. D is incorrect because the EPA has the authority to seek reimbursement from PRPs that are responsible for damages through cost recovery and enforcement actions.

Under the Superfund Law (CERCLA)