text: (2)*The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as*
  *amended.*CERCLA, among other things, provides for the cleanup of sites from which there is a release 
  or threatened release of a hazardous substance into the environment. CERCLA may impose strict joint 
  and several liability for the costs of cleanup and for damages to natural resources upon current owners and 
  operators of the site, parties who were owners or operators of the site at the time the hazardous substances 
  were disposed of, parties who transported the hazardous substances to the site and parties who arranged 
  for the disposal of the hazardous substances at the site. Under the authority of CERCLA and its 
  implementing regulations, detailed requirements apply to the manner and degree of investigation and 
  remediation of facilities and sites where hazardous substances have been or are threatened to be released 
  into the environment. Liability under CERCLA is not dependent upon the existence or disposal of only 
  ""hazardous wastes'' but can also be based upon the existence of small quantities of more than 700 
  ""substances'' characterized by the U.S. EPA as ""hazardous,'' many of which may be found in common 
  household waste. 
  
  Among other things, CERCLA authorizes the federal government to investigate and remediate sites 
  at which hazardous substances have been or are threatened to be released into the environment or to 
  order (or oÅer an opportunity to) persons potentially liable for the cleanup of the hazardous substances to 
  do so. In addition, the U.S. EPA has established a National Priorities List of sites at which hazardous 
  substances have been or are threatened to be released and which require investigation or cleanup. 