What is one key objective of the Superfund program under CERCLA?

One key objective of the Superfund program under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is to remediate contaminated sites. The Superfund program was established in response to the need to address areas contaminated with hazardous substances that pose risks to public health and the environment. Its primary focus is to identify, investigate, and clean up sites that have been polluted due to improper disposal of waste or accidents.

The program provides the federal government with the authority to take action when a site is deemed a significant threat. This includes the assessment of contaminated sites, the cleanup process to mitigate hazards, and the restoration of those areas to a safe condition for public use and the environment. The importance of this objective is underscored by the need to protect communities and ecosystems from the adverse effects of hazardous waste and contamination.

In contrast, preventing hazardous waste generation, facilitating industry growth, and promoting corporate taxes are not primary focuses of the Superfund program. While these aspects may play important roles in environmental management and economic considerations, they do not align with the core mission of Superfund, which is specifically targeted towards addressing contaminated sites.