EPA’s Brownfields Program

Megan Quinn

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

January 25, 2008

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What are Brownfields?

Once-productive areas have been abandoned; some are contaminated.

Statutory definition: “Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant”

Lenders, investors, and developers fear environmental liability and are more attracted to “greenfields.”

The result has been blighted properties – brownfields.

GAO estimates that there are more than 450,000 brownfields across the country.

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Brownfield Program Outcomes and Benefits

Reduces blight and

revitalizes urban areas Removes stigma Restores pride in

community Creates tax revenue Creates jobs

Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

Revitalizes neighborhoods Reduces health risks Protects/creates greenspace Reduces sprawl Promotes sustainability

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Environmental Justice and Brownfields Environmental Justice is an integral part of its

Brownfields Program

Many brownfields are located in economically distressed and/or minority communities

Grants process requires EPA to consider projects that reduce threats to low-income and minority communities

EJ is considered in the development of all Office of Brownfields’ guidance and policy

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Assessment Grants Provide funding for:

Inventory sites Characterize sites Assess sites Plan for cleanup and redevelopment Conduct community involvement

Who is eligible? State, local, and tribal governments General purpose units of local government Land clearance authorities Quasi-governmental entities Regional Council or redevelopment agencies

Funding: Up to $200,000 to assess properties contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants,

or contaminants Up to $200,000 to assess properties contaminated with petroleum For site-specific proposals, may seek waiver of $200,000 limit and request up to

$350,000

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Revolving Loan Fund Grants

Provide funding to capitalize a community-wide revolving loan fund that provides loans and subgrants to carry out assessment and cleanup activities at brownfields.

Who is eligible? State, local, and tribal governments General purpose units of local government Land clearance authorities Quasi-governmental entities Regional Council or redevelopment agencies

Funding: Up to $1,000,000 per eligible entity Funds may be used to address properties contaminated by hazardous

substances, pollutants, or contaminants and properties contaminated by petroleum

At least 60 percent of awarded funds must be used to provide no-interest or low- interest loans for brownfields cleanup

Award requires a 20 percent cost share, in the form of a contribution of money, labor, materials, or services for eligible and allowable costs

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Cleanup Grants

Provide funding for cleanup activities at brownfields.

Who is eligible? State, local, and tribal governments General purpose units of local government Land clearance authorities Quasi-governmental entities Regional Council or redevelopment agencies Non-profit organizations (to cleanup properties owned by

non-profit)

Funding: Up to $200,000 per property Each eligible entity can apply for funding for up to five

properties Require a 20 percent cost share, in the form of a contribution

of money, labor, materials, or services for eligible and allowable costs

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Job Training Grants

Provide funding to train residents of communities affected by brownfields to facilitate cleanup of brownfields properties and prepare trainees for future employment in the environmental field. Job training grants may be awarded to communities that received brownfields assessment or cleanup grants.

Who is eligible? States, counties, municipalities, Federally-recognized Indian

Tribes, and U.S. Territories Colleges and universities Community job training organizations Non-profit training centers

Funding: Up to $200,000 per eligible entity

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Abandoned Properties

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Underground Storage Tanks

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2007 Brownfields Grants

In 2007 EPA announced: $70.7 million for 294 grants to communities in 38 states, 2 territories and 5 tribal nations.

189 assessment grants totaling $36.8 million

92 cleanup grants totaling $17.9 million

13 revolving loan fund grants totaling $16 million

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Overall Accomplishments

Leveraged $10.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment

Leveraged more than 47,000 jobs

Supported assessments at more than 9,100 properties

Provided grants to all 50 States and 40 Tribes for their response programs

Every acre of brownfields redeveloped saves 4.5 acres of greenspace (GWU, 2001)

For every dollar the federal, state and local governments put into revitalizing Brownfields, almost $2.50 in private investment was attracted (Brownfields Redevelopment: Performance Evaluation)

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Increased Support for State and Tribal Response Programs

Authorized $50 million/year to establish and enhance State Programs

Includes support for capacity building, site assessment and cleanup and related program support

10 fold increase over the past 5 years in number of properties enrolled in State Voluntary Cleanup Programs (over 50,000)

Grants awarded on an allocation basis- non competitive

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Emerging National Issues

Measures and A.C.R.E.S.

Increased reliance on Federal partnerships

Land Revitalization/Reuse

FY09 ARC Guidelines Revisions

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OBLR Grant Funding Opportunities

2009 Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Grants Competition-$80M (Notice in Summer 2008, Awards in Spring 2009)

2009 Job Training Grants Competition- $2.0M (Notice in Summer 2008, Award expected Winter 2009)

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On the Horizon: Brownfields in 2008 The FY09 Brownfields Grant Application Guidelines

will be released in late Summer 2008.

www.epa.gov/brownfields

National Brownfields 2008 Conference:

May 5-7 in Detroit, MI

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Contact Information

Megan QuinnU.S. EPA Office of Brownfields & Land Revitalization

Quinn.Megan@epa.gov

202-566-2773