“CERCLA is probably the most controversial environmental law ever enacted. Supporters praise it as a vital program to safeguard human health and the environment from the toxic consequences of decades of irresponsible waste handling. Citing cost estimates ranging up to $750 billion, critics deride it as an extraordinarily expensive measure which imposes crippling liability on innocent parties to fund clean-ups which are either unnecessary or largely ineffective.” John G. Sprankling & Gregory S. Weber, The Law of Hazardous Wastes and Toxic Substances in a Nutshell 256 (1997).
cercla
CERCLA (s[schwa]r-kl[schwa]).abbr. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. • This statute holds responsible parties liable for the cost of cleaning up hazardous-waste sites.42 USCA §§ 9601 et seq. See SUPERFUND. [Cases: Environmental Law 436.]
