What does CERCLA stand for?

The correct answer is the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as CERCLA. This legislation was enacted in 1980 in the United States to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Its primary focus is to provide a federal response to the release of hazardous substances into the environment and to hold responsible parties liable for the cleanup costs.

The use of the term "Comprehensive" emphasizes the law's broad scope in addressing various environmental issues related to hazardous waste. The inclusion of "Response" highlights the act's role in facilitating emergency responses to hazardous releases, while "Compensation" reflects the provisions for funding cleanup through a trust fund, financed by taxes on chemical and petroleum industries. "Liability" ensures that parties responsible for the contamination are held accountable for remediation efforts.

Understanding this act is crucial for grasping environmental policy and law, especially regarding the cleanup of contaminated sites and the protection of public health and the environment. The other options either mischaracterize the act or use incorrect terminology that does not align with established legislation.