What authority did CERCLA (Superfund) grant to the EPA?

• A. Power to investigate and clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances
• B. Power to regulate pesticide use
• C. Authority to enforce clean air standards
• D. Authority to set drinking water standards

Answer: (A)

CERCLA created a framework for the federal government to address hazardous waste sites. It gave the EPA the authority to investigate releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, determine appropriate cleanup actions, and carry them out, with funding through the Superfund and the ability to pursue those responsible for the contamination. This is why the correct choice is the power to investigate and clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. Other tasks like regulating pesticide use, enforcing clean air standards, or setting drinking water standards come from different laws—FIFRA for pesticides, the Clean Air Act for air quality, and the Safe Drinking Water Act for drinking water.