Question

Who is responsible for funding CERCLA? That is, what is the source of funds for cleanups of hazardous waste? Why is it necessary to have criminal penalties for noncompliance with environmental laws? What is the role of states in setting standards for clean air and clean water? Which federal act sets up a “cradle-to-grave” system for handling waste? Why are federal environmental laws necessary? Why not let the states exclusively govern in the area of environmental protection?

Answer 1

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) , is also known as superfund is mainly funded by taxation . The tax is imposed on chemical and petroleum industries . This tax amount collected  went to a trust fund for cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites .

Criminal penalties were required since hazardous wastes create huge life hazards are diseases and pollute the environment to a high extent . So strict measures were required to be adopted to lower such pollution .

The role of state is to implement or execute the laws , impose taxes on production , release tradable pollution permits , investment in cleaning of environment which is a common good . The standard should be maintained by the state which is identified by scientific research .

Hazardous waste that is not managed is a serious threat to human health and the environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), passed in 1976, was established to set up a framework for the proper management of hazardous waste . RCRA was to manage hazardous waste. From this authority, EPA established a comprehensive regulatory program to ensure that hazardous waste is managed safely from "cradle to grave" meaning from the time it is created, while it is transported, treated, and stored, and until it is disposed .