What is the primary purpose of the Superfund program?

The primary purpose of the Superfund program is to address abandoned hazardous waste sites. Established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980, the program is specifically designed to locate, investigate, and clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. These sites pose significant risks to public health and the environment, and the Superfund program provides the necessary framework and funding to remediate these areas effectively.

The program operates by identifying sites that require cleanup, assessing the extent of contamination, and implementing cleanup plans to mitigate risks. It also enables the federal government to recover costs from responsible parties to ensure that those who caused the pollution are held accountable. This focus on cleaning up hazardous waste sites is critical for protecting local communities and ecosystems from the dangers posed by such pollutants.

The other options pertain to different environmental concerns and regulations that are outside the scope of the Superfund program. While regulating air quality, ensuring safe drinking water, and promoting energy efficiency are important environmental initiatives, they do not directly relate to the primary mission of addressing hazardous waste cleanup, which is the cornerstone of the Superfund program's objectives.