Nearly 200,000 Brownfield Sites Cleaned-Up in U.S. Since 1995
Since its creation in 1995, Brownfield Programs have shifted the way that communities manage contaminated property. A brownfield property is one in which the redevelopment or reuse of the property may be complicated by the presence or perception of contamination.
The U.S. EPA estimates that there are more than 450,000 brownfield sites in the United States. In the latest data available for the U.S. EPA’s brownfield program, more than 34,000 properties have been assessed with 9,141 properties made ready for reuse, and 2,239 properties cleaned-up for redevelopment. In addition to the EPA program, states and tribes also have their own brownfield programs. The state and tribal brownfield programs account for an additional 190,000 site clean-ups.
One state example is Michigan’s brownfield redevelopment program, which is managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The Remediation and Redevelopment Division of EGLE provides financial assistance including grants, loans, tax increment financing and assessments to facilitate the redevelopment of brownfield properties.
Brownfield grants continue to serve as the foundation of EPA's Brownfields Program. The Brownfield grants support revitalization efforts by funding environmental assessment, cleanup, and job training activities. A diverse range of grants are available to support communities and developers. A sampling of the available grants, summarized by the EPA, include:
Brownfields Assessment Grants: funding brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
Brownfields Cleanup Grants: funding cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the applicant.
Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants: funding to capitalize loans used to clean-up brownfield sites.
Job Training (JT) Grants: environmental training for residents impacted by brownfield sites in their communities.
Multipurpose (MP) Grants: funding to conduct a range of eligible assessment and cleanup activities at one or more brownfield sites in a target area.
State and Tribal Response Program Grants: non-competitive funding to establish or enhance State and Tribal Brownfields response programs.
Technical Assistance, Training, and Research Grants: funding to organizations to conduct research and to provide training and technical assistance to communities to address their Brownfields challenges.
Point Blue, LLC works with local Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities to drive redevelopment opportunities to cleanup and reinvest in brownfield sites, helping to reduce blight while protecting the environment. Point Blue, LLC provides brownfield site expertise for the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of properties that are challenged for potential development by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances and contaminants.