Application deadline for 2012 brownfields funding approaches

EPA is encouraging eligible entities to apply through November 28, 2011 for 2012 Brownfields funding. These grant funds can be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants, including hazardous substances comingled with petroleum.

Available grants from EPA’s Brownfields Program include assessment grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; coalitions are funded up to $1 million over three years); cleanup grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years); and revolving loan funds (each funded up to $1 million over five years).

According to the EPA, the following may apply: individuals from eligible local, state and tribal governments; non-profits; coalitions; land clearance authorities; and quasi-governmental entities interested in a brownfields assessment, cleanup or revolving loan fund grant.

EPA’s Brownfields Program encourages the redevelopment of America’s estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Brownfield sites include all real property, including residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, utilizes existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off undeveloped, open land and improves and protects the environment. Brownfields redevelopments have included the conversion of industrial waterfronts to riverfront parks, landfills to golf courses, rail corridors to recreational trails and gas stations to housing.

EPA’s investment in the Brownfields Program has leveraged more than $6.5 billion in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment funding from the private and public sectors, and has created approximately 25,000 new jobs.

For more details on the EPA Brownfields grant application guidelines go to www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm.