Superfund Essentials provides an awareness of the purpose, legal framework and implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Participants are introduced to the various components of the Superfund process.

By taking the course, participants achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the evolution of the Superfund program. The course explores the origin, the accomplishments and future of the Superfund program.
• Understand the statutory and regulatory basis for the authorities of On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and Remedial Project Managers (RPM). The course provides an overview of the roles of the OSC and RPM as they are defined in laws, regulations, policy, and guidance, including a comparison of authorities and liabilities.
• Learn about the three types of response activities defined under CERCLA. The course provides an overview of the components of the removal, remedial and enforcement programs.

The Superfund Essentials course is a 1-day awareness-level course geared towards EPA employees new to the Agency or to the Superfund program as well as other federal, state and local stakeholders. This course does not meet the inspector training requirements of EPA Order 3500.1 for OSCs and RPMs. This course is not available to contractors. Regional Superfund programs interested in offering this awareness-level course to stakeholders should contact Barbara Charris, EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI), at charris.barbara@epa.gov for details.

The CERCLA Education Center (CEC) understands that questions will continue regarding the status of CEC courses currently planned for 2023. Although we hope to be able to hold classroom trainings, the CEC will assess current conditions and make a go/no-go decision for each course six weeks prior to the start of the delivery. The CEC will assess current local and EPA COVID-19 guidelines; current EPA travel policies; and the number of students enrolled in a course before making a decision. Registered students will receive a notification via email if the course is postponed. Information will also be posted to the appropriate Trainex page. Questions may be directed to Jodi McCarty, ICF (jodi.mccarty@icf.com).