Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (may 21, 1980 – dec 11, 1980)

Description:

Purpose:

-Authorize EPA to clean up hazardous waste sites and hold polluters liable.

Timeline:
-Introduced: 23 May 1980.

Congressional sponsors:

James Florio (D)

Passed:

-11 December 1980.

Signed by:

-Signed: President Jimmy Carter (D) on 11 December 1980

Disasters:
-Love Canal, NY (1978): 21,000 tons of chemical waste caused evacuations.

-Valley of the Drums, KY (1960s–1979): 17,000 leaking toxic drums.

-Times Beach, MO (1982): Dioxin contamination
led to town abandonment.

Leading Activists:
-Lois Gibbs (1978-present): Organized Love Canal protests.
-Victor Yannacone (1960's-1980's): Litigated against Hooker Chemical (1979).
-Philip Landrigan (1970's-present): Linked toxic waste to public health risks (1979–80).

Implementation:

-Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (1989): CERCLA recovered $900M in cleanup costs.

-Deepwater Horizon (2010): BP paid $20.8B under CERCLA.

-Tar Creek Superfund Site (1983–present): Ongoing lead cleanup in Oklahoma.

Added to timeline:

Date: