Esty-Gibson Legislation To Help Communities Revitalize Blighted Properties Passes Senate

Press Release

The U.S. Senate today passed the Brownfields Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored in the House by Reps. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Chris Gibson (R-NY), as part of a larger legislative package.

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act will help communities revitalize and remediate "brownfields" -- abandoned, often contaminated former industrial properties. The bill was included in the Energy Policy Modernization Act, which passed the Senate today by an 85-12 vote. The Brownfields Reauthorization Act was added to the Energy Policy Modernization Act as an amendment by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who sponsors the Senate version of Esty and Gibson's brownfields bill.

Following the Senate's passage of the measure, Esty and Gibson called on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to take up the bill so that it can receive a vote on the House floor.

"Cities and towns in central and northwest Connecticut like Meriden, New Milford, Torrington, and Waterbury have miles of abandoned industrial sites that are just waiting to be restored into economic assets," Congresswoman Esty said. "On average, every redeveloped acre of brownfields yields about 10 jobs for local economies, so helping communities remediate these sites is truly one of the best investments our federal government can make. The Senate's action is a great step forward, but now the House needs to act. I urge my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to hold a mark-up of this bill so that it can receive a vote on the House floor and be signed into law."

"We are working to see that our communities have the resources they need to remediate blighted industrial sites, creating opportunities for economic development and outdoor recreation, especially along our waterfronts," Congressman Gibson said. "I am delighted the Senate has taken action to strengthen the brownfields program, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to secure passage of our bill in the House."

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act reauthorizes and improves the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brownfields program, which provides local governments and nonprofits with resources to redevelop brownfields sites into livable, workable spaces, such as residences, offices, shopping centers, or public parks.

The bill expands eligibility for EPA Brownfields grants to certain nonprofit and community development groups, including governments that acquired brownfields prior to the program's creation in 2002. It also authorizes new multi-purpose grants to streamline the process and create greater certainty of long-term financing for multifaceted projects.

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