Latest news with #brownfields
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CT is receiving $7M from EPA for cleanup of several brownfield sites. Here are towns on the list.
Connecticut is receiving nearly $7 million in federal funds to help clean up its brownfield sites, with advocates haling the news as a major boost for the environment. Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties, often industrial or commercial, where redevelopment is complicated because of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants in the soil. There are dozens of these sites scattered across the state, according to officials. The grants will help fund assessments of brownfields, a revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. The funds come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program. The program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in brownfields grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. As part of the overall $7 million, approximately $3.2 million are assessment grants, which will provide funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments and community outreach. The other $3.75 million is part of revolving loan fund grants to help continue the work to carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects on contaminated brownfields sites. Supplemental funding for revolving loan fund grants is available to recipients that have depleted their funds and have viable cleanup projects ready for work, according to officials. 'Today's brownfields announcement reflects EPA's commitment to clean air, land, and water for every American,' said EPA regional administrator Mark Sanborn. 'From rural towns to urban centers, we are helping communities across New England clean up contaminated sites and unlock new opportunities for economic growth and revitalization. Through partnerships with states, local governments, and the private sector, we're returning blighted properties to productive use — and showing that a clean environment and economic development can go hand in hand.' On Friday, the Connecitcut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the applicants who are being awarded funding. The Capitol Region Council of Governments has been selected to receive $750,000; DEEP has been selected to receive $2 million for a brownfields community-wide assessment grant for states and tribes; Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments has been selected to receive $1 million in supplemental funding for its revolving loan fund program; Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has been selected to receive $2 million in supplemental funding for its Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund program; and Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has been selected to receive $1.2 million to lead a Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant. Among the sites that will benefit from the funding are the Collinsville Axe Factory in Canton, the Excelsior Plant and the Torrington and E. Farrel Corporation property in Ansonia, and the Connecticut Sports Group and Davidson Block properties in Bridgeport, officials said. 'DEEP congratulates the Capitol Region, Metropolitan, Naugatuck Valley, and Southeastern Councils of Governments on earning EPA brownfield grants. We are also proud to receive a $2 million Community-Wide Assessment Grant for Connecticut,' said DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes. 'This funding will promote the cleanup of contaminated sites, turning long-abandoned properties into community assets that support public health, environmental safety and economic development. It's a win for cleaner neighborhoods, stronger local economies and a more affordable, vibrant future.' An interactive map showing brownfields in Connecticut can be found here. For information on brownfields, go to Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
E&E News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Skeptical Republicans are urged to boost brownfields program
Facing increasing pressure to slash government spending, House Republicans hedged on the future of an EPA cleanup program popular among state and local leaders. The Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment heard pleas Wednesday to not only reauthorize the brownfields program but increase funding. Subcommittee Chair Mike Collins (R-Ga.) held a hearing to learn more about the 'programmatic efficiencies and regulatory relief' needed when it comes to brownfields. EPA's program provides technical assistance and grants. Advertisement 'This program provides common-sense liability relief to folks who want to improve a degraded site,' Collins said. 'But we know that just throwing hard-earned taxpayer money at problems doesn't make them go away.'
