Brownfields and Environmental Issues

Budget Request Includes Increase for Brownfields

February 11, 2008 -- The budget request contains $7.1 billion in discretionary spending for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), roughly $400 million under current funding. If enacted, the budget proposal would represent a $1.3 billion decline in discretionary spending since FY2004.

State and Tribal Assistance Grants are reduced from $2.9 billion to $2.6 billion. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) is targeted for reduction: $555 million for the program, a cut of $145 million and nearly $800 million below the FY 2004 level of $1.35 billion. The Safe Drinking Water SRF is provided with level funding of $842.1 million. The budget also rescinds $10 million in unobligated monies from the State and Tribal Assistance Grant program.

The request contains a total of $165.7 million for the three Brownfields accounts, which is slightly under the current appropriation of $168.3 million. The President recommends $16.8 million for Wetlands Program Development and $57.9 for the Tribal General Assistance Program. In addition, $11 million is for the Environmental Information Exchange Network grant program and $5 million for Homeland Security grants to support state efforts to work with drinking water and wastewater systems to develop and enhance emergency operations plans.

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Increased Funding for Brownfields Activities Under Final Spending Measure

January 16, 2008 -- The omnibus appropriations measure provides $7.5 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), $262 million above the President's request and $264 million below FY 2007. Funding detailed below does not include an across-the-board rescission of 1.56 percent to programs within the Interior Environment title of the measure. State and Tribal Assistance Grants are reduced from $3.2 billion to $2.9 billion.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) is funded at $700 million, a reduction of $300 million. Since FY 2002, the program has been cut $650 million. The Safe Drinking Water SRF is reduced nearly $8 million to $842.1 million.

The bill contains $168.3 million for Brownfields activities, which is $3.3 million over the FY 2007 level. The President requested $162.2 million.

The bill provides $10 million for the Environmental Information Exchange Network, $10 million for targeted watershed grants and $49 million for a new Diesel Emissions Reduction grant program to support clean fuels and diesel retrofits, rebuilds and replacements.

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EPA Announces Brownfields Funding Recipients

May 14, 2007 -- On May 14, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the award of nearly $71 million in brownfields grant funding. Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment or reuse are complicated by the potential presence of pollutants and contaminants. Of the total amount provided, 189 assessment grants, 92 clean-up grants and 13 revolving loan fund grants were awarded. More than 20 regional development organizations received brownfields grant funding. To view the full list of recipients, visit www.epa.gov/brownfields/. For additional information, contact NADO Project Manager Mike Bellamente at 202.624.7809 or mbellamente@nado.org.

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HUD Clarifies Brownfields Cleanup Eligible under CDBG

May 30, 2006 -- On May 24, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a final rule clarifying and updating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program regulations to include brownfields cleanup, development and redevelopment as an eligible program activity. In its notice, HUD states that “[A]lthough cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields can already be accomplished using numerous categories of eligible activities, qualifying an activity under the existing criteria has often been confusing and problematic.” The rule expands the “slums or blight” national objective to include environmental contamination and expands “clearance” to include remediation of contamination. To access the rule, visit http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4795.pdf.

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Brownfields Rules Changed Under House Bill

December 14, 2006 -- On December 13, the House passed legislation (HR 280) streamlining the process for obtaining brownfields redevelopment assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bill would end requirements forcing communities to first obtain brownfields redevelopment loan guarantees (Section 108) from HUD before receiving assistance through the department's Brownfields Economic Development Initiative. In addition, the bill would create a federal redevelopment loan pilot program to provide money for local governments to use as collateral for securing larger private loans. The bill would also expand HUD's definition of brownfields to allow the program to be used in rural areas where abandoned mines have posed problems for communities. The measure now awaits Senate consideration.

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