EPA Launches Grants Initiative to Clean Up Brownfields Across the Country

A Lawrence, Mass. Brownfield transformed into the Dr. Nina Scarito Park.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of an estimated $111.9 million in grants to help communities clean up polluted sites known as Brownfields.

The grants include $74.6 million from the EPA Brownfields general funding program, and $37.3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Communities in 46 states, four tribes, and two U.S. Territories will share in these grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites.

Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed, which expanded the definition of what is considered a brownfield to include mine-scarred lands and sites contaminated by petroleum, or the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs.

The EPA is now accepting applications for three types of grants:

• Assessment Grants used to conduct site assessment and planning for eventual cleanup at one or more Brownfield sites or as part of a community-wide effort.
• Revolving Loan Funding Grants provide funding for communities to capitalize a revolving loan fund and to provide subgrants to carry out clean-up activities at Brownfield sites. Revolving loan funds are generally used to provide low interest loans for Brownfield cleanups.
• Cleanup Grants provide funding for grant recipients to carryout cleanup activities at Brownfield sites they own.

A chart listing the properties around the country, including what grant types apply to them can be viewed at Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet. Application information for each type of grant can be found at Brownfields Program Activities Under the Recovery Act.