Which agency oversees the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)?

The agency that oversees the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This federal law, enacted in 1980, was designed to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and to hold responsible parties accountable for the release of hazardous substances into the environment. The EPA administers the program, ensuring that remedial actions are performed at contaminated sites and that public health and environmental interests are protected.

The other choices represent different agencies with distinct responsibilities: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is primarily concerned with the safety of food and pharmaceuticals; the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) focuses on national policies and programs related to housing; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety and health. Each of these agencies plays a crucial role in their respective areas but does not have jurisdiction over environmental cleanup in the context of hazardous waste, which is the primary concern of CERCLA and the EPA.