National Evaluation Series (NES) Business Studies Practice Test

What is the main purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)?

1. To regulate hazardous waste disposal

2. To provide federal funding for cleaning up contaminated sites

3. To enforce environmental laws at the state level

4. To promote renewable energy sources

The correct answer is: To provide federal funding for cleaning up contaminated sites

The main purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (often referred to as Superfund) is to provide federal funding for the cleanup of contaminated sites. This legislation was enacted in 1980 in response to the increasing concerns about hazardous waste sites and the potential risks they pose to public health and the environment. Superfund establishes a framework for identifying and cleaning up sites that are polluted with hazardous substances, ensuring that the responsible parties are held liable for the cleanup costs. Through this Act, the federal government is empowered to intervene in instances where a site poses significant threats to human health or the environment, and it provides the necessary funding to carry out these cleanups when responsible parties are unwilling or unable to do so. This is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, often referred to as Superfund sites. The other choices do not accurately encapsulate the primary aim of the Superfund. While regulating hazardous waste disposal is a critical environmental concern, it falls under a different set of regulations and does not highlight the unique aspect of federal cleanup funding. Enforcing environmental laws at the state level is generally a responsibility of state governments, and promoting renewable energy sources is not directly related to the Superfund's mission, which focuses