Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program helps communities cleanup and reuse abandoned, contaminated properties. There are an estimated 450,000 brownfields in the United States including abandoned factories, gas stations and rail yards.

• With EPA funding and technical support, Brownfields communities have leveraged more than $4.4 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funds and generated more than 20,000 jobs.

• New Brownfields legislation signed by President Bush in January 2002 expands annual funding for brownfields cleanup and reuse. The President’s FY 2003 budget request doubles the amount available (from $98 million to $200 million) for Brownfields restoration.

• The Innovation seen through the Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative has the following aspects:

-- Deals with the unintended consequences of environmental rules through non-regulatory incentives, harnessing the power of the market economy to achieve environmental goals while revitalizing needy communities.

-- Inverts the power pyramid by starting at the local level and finding support for local needs through seed money and technical assistance. This supports grass roots creativity without the need of burdensome Federal mandates.

-- Changes government’s role from program administrator and regulator to coach and problem solver. Brownfields redevelopment works because of partnerships – public, private, and non-governmental.

-- Change in view of environmental protection within the broader social setting of issues such as sustainability, crime, blight, jobs, training, health and justice.

-- Innovation with minimal dependence on laws and regulations. Great changes have occurred because local issues find private sector solutions backed with public sector support.