Blog

EPA Announces $500,000 to City of Texarkana, TX, to Cleanup and Redevelop Contaminated Brownfield Sites

Media contacts: Jennah Durant at [email protected] or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (June 16, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the city of Texarkana, Texas, will received $500,000 in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated brownfields properties.

The funding is part of $11.6 million that will be provided to 27 communities nationwide that have demonstrated success in using their previously awarded Brownfields Revolving Loan Funding (RLF) grants to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. This investment is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.

“Many of the brownfields cleanups supported by EPA’s Revolving Loan Funding are in economically disadvantaged communities where environmental cleanup and jobs are needed most,” said Carlton Waterhouse, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “This supplemental funding will help sustain and increase the great progress these communities have made in cleaning up brownfields sites, while also helping them become stronger, healthier, and more economically competitive.”

Brownfield RLF grants enable funding for communities to provide loans and sub-grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites. When loans are repaid, the loan amount is returned into the fund and re-lent to other borrowers, providing an ongoing source of capital within a community.

To date, EPA’s RLF grantees across the country have completed 794 cleanups and attracted approximately 48,000 jobs and $16.2 billion in public and private funding. Today’s supplemental funds will help communities keep the cleanup momentum going so that more cleanups can be completed. Each grantee will receive from $200,000 to $500,000.

Communities selected for FY21 RLF supplemental funding are:

Region 1          

• Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (ME): $330,000
• City of Portland (ME): $330,000
• Greater Portland Council of Governments (ME): $500,000
• Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (ME): $500,000
• Northwest Regional Planning Commission (VT): $200,000
• Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (VT): $330,000
• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (ME): $500,000
• Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (CT): $330,000
• Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (VT): $330,000

Region 2           

• Niagara County Center for Economic Development (NY): $500,000

Region 3

• City of Huntington (WV): $500,000

Region 4           

• City of Albany (GA): $330,000
• City of Chattanooga (TN): $500,000
• Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (KY): $500,000
• South Carolina Dept of Health and Environmental Control (SC): $500,000
• Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (KY): $330,000

Region 5           

• Indiana Finance Authority (IN): $500,000
• Hennepin County (MN): $500,000
• City of Racine (WI): $500,000

Region 6           

• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OK): $330,000
• South Central Planning and Development Commission (LA): $330,000
• City of Texarkana (TX): $500,000
• City of Austin (TX): $500,000
• New Mexico Environment Department (NM): $500,000

Region 8           

• Great Northern Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Salt Lake County Economic Development (Wasatch Coalition) (UT): $500,000

Background:

Since 1995, EPA’s Brownfields Program has provided nearly $1.6 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, these brownfields investments have leveraged more than $34.5 billion in cleanup and redevelopment in communities across the country. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, more than 176,800 jobs.

For more information on EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-grants

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields program:

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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EPA Announces $500,000 to New Mexico Environment Dept. to Cleanup and Redevelop Contaminated Brownfield Sites

Media contacts: Jennah Durant at [email protected] or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (June 16, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the New Mexico Environment Department will received $500,000 in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated brownfields properties.

The funding is part of $11.6 million that will be provided to 27 communities nationwide that have demonstrated success in using their previously awarded Brownfields Revolving Loan Funding (RLF) grants to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. This investment is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.

“Many of the brownfields cleanups supported by EPA’s Revolving Loan Funding are in economically disadvantaged communities where environmental cleanup and jobs are needed most,” said Carlton Waterhouse, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “This supplemental funding will help sustain and increase the great progress these communities have made in cleaning up brownfields sites, while also helping them become stronger, healthier, and more economically competitive.”

Brownfield RLF grants enable funding for communities to provide loans and sub-grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites. When loans are repaid, the loan amount is returned into the fund and re-lent to other borrowers, providing an ongoing source of capital within a community.

To date, EPA’s RLF grantees across the country have completed 794 cleanups and attracted approximately 48,000 jobs and $16.2 billion in public and private funding. Today’s supplemental funds will help communities keep the cleanup momentum going so that more cleanups can be completed. Each grantee will receive from $200,000 to $500,000.

Communities selected for FY21 RLF supplemental funding are:

Region 1          

• Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (ME): $330,000
• City of Portland (ME): $330,000
• Greater Portland Council of Governments (ME): $500,000
• Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (ME): $500,000
• Northwest Regional Planning Commission (VT): $200,000
• Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (VT): $330,000
• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (ME): $500,000
• Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (CT): $330,000
• Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (VT): $330,000

Region 2           

• Niagara County Center for Economic Development (NY): $500,000

Region 3

• City of Huntington (WV): $500,000

Region 4           

• City of Albany (GA): $330,000
• City of Chattanooga (TN): $500,000
• Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (KY): $500,000
• South Carolina Dept of Health and Environmental Control (SC): $500,000
• Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (KY): $330,000

Region 5           

• Indiana Finance Authority (IN): $500,000
• Hennepin County (MN): $500,000
• City of Racine (WI): $500,000

Region 6           

• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OK): $330,000
• South Central Planning and Development Commission (LA): $330,000
• City of Texarkana (TX): $500,000
• City of Austin (TX): $500,000
• New Mexico Environment Department (NM): $500,000

Region 8           

• Great Northern Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Salt Lake County Economic Development (Wasatch Coalition) (UT): $500,000

Background:

Since 1995, EPA’s Brownfields Program has provided nearly $1.6 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, these brownfields investments have leveraged more than $34.5 billion in cleanup and redevelopment in communities across the country. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, more than 176,800 jobs.

For more information on EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-grants

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields program:

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Connect with EPA Region
6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

# # #

EPA Announces $330,000 to Okla. Dept. of Environmental to Cleanup and Redevelop Contaminated Brownfield Sites

Media contacts: Jennah Durant at [email protected] or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (June 16, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality will received $330,000 in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated brownfields properties.

The funding is part of $11.6 million that will be provided to 27 communities nationwide that have demonstrated success in using their previously awarded Brownfields Revolving Loan Funding (RLF) grants to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. This investment is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.

“Many of the brownfields cleanups supported by EPA’s Revolving Loan Funding are in economically disadvantaged communities where environmental cleanup and jobs are needed most,” said Carlton Waterhouse, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “This supplemental funding will help sustain and increase the great progress these communities have made in cleaning up brownfields sites, while also helping them become stronger, healthier, and more economically competitive.”

Brownfield RLF grants enable funding for communities to provide loans and sub-grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites. When loans are repaid, the loan amount is returned into the fund and re-lent to other borrowers, providing an ongoing source of capital within a community.

To date, EPA’s RLF grantees across the country have completed 794 cleanups and attracted approximately 48,000 jobs and $16.2 billion in public and private funding. Today’s supplemental funds will help communities keep the cleanup momentum going so that more cleanups can be completed. Each grantee will receive from $200,000 to $500,000.

Communities selected for FY21 RLF supplemental funding are:

Region 1          

• Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (ME): $330,000
• City of Portland (ME): $330,000
• Greater Portland Council of Governments (ME): $500,000
• Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (ME): $500,000
• Northwest Regional Planning Commission (VT): $200,000
• Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (VT): $330,000
• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (ME): $500,000
• Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (CT): $330,000
• Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (VT): $330,000

Region 2           

• Niagara County Center for Economic Development (NY): $500,000

Region 3

• City of Huntington (WV): $500,000

Region 4           

• City of Albany (GA): $330,000
• City of Chattanooga (TN): $500,000
• Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (KY): $500,000
• South Carolina Dept of Health and Environmental Control (SC): $500,000
• Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (KY): $330,000

Region 5           

• Indiana Finance Authority (IN): $500,000
• Hennepin County (MN): $500,000
• City of Racine (WI): $500,000

Region 6           

• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OK): $330,000
• South Central Planning and Development Commission (LA): $330,000
• City of Texarkana (TX): $500,000
• City of Austin (TX): $500,000
• New Mexico Environment Department (NM): $500,000

Region 8           

• Great Northern Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Salt Lake County Economic Development (Wasatch Coalition) (UT): $500,000

Background:

Since 1995, EPA’s Brownfields Program has provided nearly $1.6 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, these brownfields investments have leveraged more than $34.5 billion in cleanup and redevelopment in communities across the country. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, more than 176,800 jobs.

For more information on EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-grants

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields program:

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

# # #

EPA Announces $330,000 to La. South Central Planning and Development Commission to Cleanup and Redevelop Contaminated Brownfield Sites

Media contacts: Jennah Durant at [email protected] or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (June 16, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the South Central Planning and Development Commission in Houma, Louisiana, will received $330,000 in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated brownfields properties.

The funding is part of $11.6 million that will be provided to 27 communities nationwide that have demonstrated success in using their previously awarded Brownfields Revolving Loan Funding (RLF) grants to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. This investment is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.

“Many of the brownfields cleanups supported by EPA’s Revolving Loan Funding are in economically disadvantaged communities where environmental cleanup and jobs are needed most,” said Carlton Waterhouse, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “This supplemental funding will help sustain and increase the great progress these communities have made in cleaning up brownfields sites, while also helping them become stronger, healthier, and more economically competitive.”

Brownfield RLF grants enable funding for communities to provide loans and sub-grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites. When loans are repaid, the loan amount is returned into the fund and re-lent to other borrowers, providing an ongoing source of capital within a community.

To date, EPA’s RLF grantees across the country have completed 794 cleanups and attracted approximately 48,000 jobs and $16.2 billion in public and private funding. Today’s supplemental funds will help communities keep the cleanup momentum going so that more cleanups can be completed. Each grantee will receive from $200,000 to $500,000.

Communities selected for FY21 RLF supplemental funding are:

Region 1          

• Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (ME): $330,000
• City of Portland (ME): $330,000
• Greater Portland Council of Governments (ME): $500,000
• Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (ME): $500,000
• Northwest Regional Planning Commission (VT): $200,000
• Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (VT): $330,000
• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (ME): $500,000
• Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (CT): $330,000
• Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (VT): $330,000

Region 2           

• Niagara County Center for Economic Development (NY): $500,000

Region 3

• City of Huntington (WV): $500,000

Region 4           

• City of Albany (GA): $330,000
• City of Chattanooga (TN): $500,000
• Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (KY): $500,000
• South Carolina Dept of Health and Environmental Control (SC): $500,000
• Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (KY): $330,000

Region 5           

• Indiana Finance Authority (IN): $500,000
• Hennepin County (MN): $500,000
• City of Racine (WI): $500,000

Region 6           

• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OK): $330,000
• South Central Planning and Development Commission (LA): $330,000
• City of Texarkana (TX): $500,000
• City of Austin (TX): $500,000
• New Mexico Environment Department (NM): $500,000

Region 8           

• Great Northern Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (MT): $500,000
• Salt Lake County Economic Development (Wasatch Coalition) (UT): $500,000

Background:

Since 1995, EPA’s Brownfields Program has provided nearly $1.6 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, these brownfields investments have leveraged more than $34.5 billion in cleanup and redevelopment in communities across the country. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, more than 176,800 jobs.

For more information on EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-grants

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields program:

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

# # #

EPA Announces Over $877,000 to Oklahoma State Univ. for Farm-Focused Project to Improve Environmental Outcomes

Media contacts: Jennah Durant at [email protected] or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (June 16, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of Oklahoma State University (OSU) to receive $877,596 in through a “Farmer to Farmer” grant. The funding will go toward a project titled Virtual Fencing to Control Cattle for Improved Ecosystem Services. EPA’s Farmer to Farmer grants support the leadership of farmers in improving water quality, habitat, resilience, and peer-to-peer information exchange to benefit communities and ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico Watershed. OSU is among 12 recipients of this funding, which totals $10,951,735.

“EPA is proud to support the leadership of farmers and their innovative approaches to improve water quality while working to fuel and feed the world,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is committed to meaningful partnerships with farmers to advance sustainable agriculture practices while creating healthy, clean, and safe environments for all.”

“Oklahoma State has long been a nationwide leader in many areas of agricultural innovation, especially regarding environmental stewardship,” said Acting Regional Administrator David Gray. “EPA is proud to support the virtual fencing project with today’s grant announcement.”

Today, the agency announced the award of over $9.9 million to 11 organizations. Additionally, the agency anticipates awarding over $990,000 to one additional organization once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

In the Gulf of Mexico watershed, farmers manage millions of acres of privately held working lands. While farmers are working in this watershed to provide the food, fuel, and fiber for the world, they are also managing challenges across the landscape to minimize pollution occuring from a variety of locations known as “nonpoint sources,” specifically the excess nitrogen and phosphorous that can enter waterbodies through runoff or soil erosion.

Excess nutrients delivered to the Gulf of Mexico come from sources across the entire watershed, many of which are nonpoint sources from the agricultural landscape. Farmers are often the first line of action in reducing nonpoint source pollution and have developed innovative practices and models to share their knowledge with others.

The collaboration of a wide range of stakeholders and organizations across an entire watershed is vital to reducing nutrient pollution to our water. Farmers can play an important leadership role in these efforts when they get involved and engage with their State governments, farm organizations, conservation groups, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and community groups.

2021 Farmer to Farmer Projects:

Region 4

• University of Mississippi $999,957– Restoring Temporary Wetland Function to Agricultural Watersheds with Innovative Farmer-Driven Offseason Water Management Practices.
• Northwest Florida Water Management District $959,754 – Algae Harvesting and Biomass Reuse for Sustainable Nutrient Reduction in Agricultural Runoff to the Gulf of Mexico.

Region 5

• Sand County Foundation $997,383 – Show Me the Data! Empowering Conservation Champions with Innovative Real-Time Soil Metrics. (EPA anticipates awarding this grant once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.)

• The Savanna Institute $994,287 – Employing Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality in the Gulf of Mexico.
• American Farmland Trust $853,866 – Farming for Cleaner Water in the Upper Scioto River Watershed.

Region 6

• Oklahoma State University $877,569 – Virtual Fencing to Control Cattle for Improved Ecosystem Services.

Region 7

• Practical Farmers of Iowa $979,915 – Strengthening Farmer Networks to Improve Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat in the On-Demand World.
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources $559,258 – Mentoring for Success in the Beaver Creek Watershed.
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment $750,000 – Enhancing Local Farmer Networks in Kansas to Aid in Nutrient Reduction to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship $1,000,000 – Fostering Opportunities for Water Quality Wetlands Demonstration Project.

Multiregional Projects

Regions 5 and 6

• University of Wisconsin Madison $993,585 – Cultivating Farmer Leaders and Farmer-to-Farmer Learning for Cleaner Waters and Healthier Soils in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River Basins.

Regions 4 and 5

• Mississippi State University $986,161– Sensible Agronomics and Shrewd Conversations Support the Adoption of Environmentally Sustainable and Economically Sound Production Systems.

Background

The Farmer to Farmer grant funding is available to develop innovative practices within farming communities, measure the results of those practices, and identify how the practices will be incorporated into farming operations. Under this grant program, proposals will carry out project activities using one or more of the following methods: surveys, studies, research, investigation, experimentation, education, training, and/or demonstrations.

The Gulf of Mexico Division is a non-regulatory program of EPA founded to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. To carry out its mission, the Gulf of Mexico Division continues to maintain and expand partnerships with state and federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional business and industry, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities.

For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico.

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

# # #

For Immediate Release: June 16, 2021

Media Contact: Julia Giarmoleo, [email protected], 213-326-2033

Three Northern California Cities Within Top 25 in ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings Nationwide

San Francisco comes in at #3, San Jose and Sacramento in Top 25

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings last year. San Francisco comes in at #3 nationwide, with more than 340 ENERGY STAR certified buildings, San Jose makes #18 with 104 buildings, and Sacramento at #22 with 77.

“Northern California cities are taking the lead and reducing their environmental impact, cutting energy costs and proving that Energy Star can help save money and protect our environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Jordan. “By using less energy, we can reduce carbon pollution and fight the effects of climate change.”

“The growing number of ENERGY STAR certifications in the City is a great example of San Franciscans continuing to lead the way in climate action,” said Debbie Raphael, Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment. “Through increased energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy, and building electrification, we can be proud of our City’s commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral, All-Electric City of the future.”

“I want to thank all the building owners in San Jose who stepped up and improved their energy efficiency under the City’s Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance,” said Kerrie Romanow, director of the San Jose Environmental Services Department and the City’s chief sustainability officer. “The Building Performance Ordinance will save owners of large buildings money on their energy bills and help our community achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals of Climate Smart San Jose, our climate action plan, and the Paris Climate Agreement.”

Commercial buildings are responsible for 18 percent of the nation’s energy use and cost more than $190 billion per year in energy bills. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings. Across the country, nearly 6,500 commercial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR last year.

First released in 2009, EPA’s list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs.

As of the end of 2020, over the lifetime of the program more than 37,000 buildings across America had earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved more than $5 billion on energy bills and prevented nearly 22 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to the annual emissions of more than 2.6 million homes. 

To earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. When calculating a building’s ENERGY STAR score, ENERGY STAR takes into account multiple factors, including hours of operation, energy use, and occupancy. This means that, despite buildings operating differently during the COVID pandemic, ENERGY STAR scores and certification still reflect actual, measured energy efficiency.

About ENERGY STAR

More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including the 2020 ranking of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglocator

More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

CONTACT: [email protected]

EPA Announces $500,000 in Supplemental Funds to Cleanup and Redevelop Contaminated Brownfields Sites in Niagara County

NEW YORK (June 16, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing $11.6 million in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated brownfields properties with $500,000 going to the Niagara County Center for Economic Development in New York.

The funding will be provided to 27 communities that have demonstrated success in using their previously awarded Brownfields Revolving Loan Funding (RLF) grants to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites, and the Niagara County Center for Economic Development is the only recipient of this type of funding in New York this year. This investment is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.

“Many of the brownfields cleanups supported by EPA’s Revolving Loan Funding are in economically disadvantaged communities where environmental cleanup and jobs are needed most, including in Niagara County,” said EPA acting Regional Administrator Walter Mugdan. “The Niagara County Center for Economic Development has for years been dedicated to making the county’s brownfields program highly-successful and a standard for others to emulate across New York.”

Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Rebecca Wydysh stated: “Niagara County continues to work towards transforming our brownfields from community liabilities into assets. Through Niagara County’s Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Program, 14 properties have been remediated, environmental contamination addressed, and new economic opportunities created.  The newest grant award will be used to provide low interest loans to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites in the County. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the USEPA and thank them for recognizing Niagara County’s successful brownfield program.”

The supplemental funding awarded to Niagara County will be used for the cleanup of the former Military Road School and will result in redevelopment into the first senior assisted living complex in the Town of Niagara allowing elderly residents to stay in the community. The project will create 100 construction jobs and 20 new jobs. Green building design is proposed with pedestrian connections to a neighboring commercial plaza, town park, and community center.

Brownfield RLF grants enable funding for communities to provide loans and sub-grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites. When loans are repaid, the loan amount is returned into the fund and re-lent to other borrowers, providing an ongoing source of capital within a community.

To date, EPA’s RLF grantees across the country have completed 794 cleanups and attracted approximately 48,000 jobs and $16.2 billion in public and private funding. Today’s supplemental funds will help communities keep the cleanup momentum going so that more cleanups can be completed. Each grantee will receive from $200,000 to $500,000.

Background:

Since 1995, EPA’s Brownfields Program has provided nearly $1.6 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, these brownfields investments have leveraged more than $34.5 billion in cleanup and redevelopment in communities across the country. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, more than 176,800 jobs.

For more information on EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-grants

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields program:

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

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