EPA New England Press Releases

EPA Requests Proposals for Brownfields Grant Awards Proposals Due December 16, 2002

Contact:Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1064

For Immediate Release: November 8, 2002; Release # 02-11-12

BOSTON – EPA is accepting proposals for national brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. These grants are part of the new Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act signed by President Bush in January 2002 to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize Brownfield sites. As part of his FY 2003 budget request, the President has called for a doubling of money for the Brownfields program to $200 million.

Additional Information     Brownfields Grant Award Proposals Brownfields Program in New England

Brownfields are abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

EPA estimates that funds will be available to make up to 200 grant awards, almost double last year's awards, contingent upon availability of funds in the agency's 2003 budget. These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances (including substances mixed with petroleum.)

The Brownfields assessment grants (each funded up to $200,000 over two years) provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess and conduct planning and community involvement related to Brownfield sites.

The Brownfields revolving loan fund grants (each funded up to $1 million over five years) provide funding for a grant recipient to capitalize a revolving loan fund and to provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at Brownfield sites that are owned by the subgrant recipient. The Brownfields cleanup grants (each funded up to $200,000 over two years) provide funding for a grant recipient to carry out cleanup activities at Brownfield sites that are owned by the grant recipient.

These grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Initial proposals, due Dec. 16, will be evaluated and ranked by EPA regional evaluation panels. EPA will then determine those initial proposals that have the highest rankings, and invite those applicants to prepare and submit final proposals. Final proposals, which are due March 5, 2003, will be evaluated and ranked by National Evaluation Panels composed of EPA and other federal officials. Final selections will be made based upon the ranking of final proposals by the National Evaluation Panels, as well as other statutory and policy considerations. All initial proposals must be postmarked by USPS or delivered to the appropriate EPA regional office by other means, no later than Dec. 16, and a duplicate copy sent to EPA Headquarters. For more detailed information and assistance regarding the application process, call Lynne Jennings at 617-918-1210 or visit EPA New England's website at http://www.epa.gov/region1/Brownfields.

EPA will be cosponsoring a Brownfields conference November 13-15 in Charlotte, NC, to help introduce the new and enlarged program inspired by the federal legislation signed by President Bush. The conference website is: http://www.Brownfields2002.org/.

 

METADATA

1. TITLE: EPA Requests Proposals for Brownfields Grant Awards
   Proposals due December 16, 2002

2. ABSTRACT: BOSTON – EPA is accepting proposals for national brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. These grants are part of the new Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act signed by President Bush in January 2002 to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize Brownfield sites. As part of his FY 2003 budget request, the President has called for a doubling of money for the Brownfields program to $200 million.

3. PURPOSE: Public Information

4. ORIGINATOR: Regional Administrator's Office

5. PUBLICATION DATE: 11/08/02

6. ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: N/A

7. AVAILABILITY: N/A
   a. Distributor:
   b. Order Process:
   c. Technical Prerequisites:
   d. Automated Linkage:
   e. Downloadable Files:

8. COVERAGE: N/A

9. TIME PERIOD OF COVERAGE: N/A

10. POINT OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    
    Alice Kaufman
    Office of the Regional Administrator
    EPA New England
    1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
    Boston, MA 02114-2023
    617- 918-1064
    

11. RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
    
    Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1064
    Office of the Regional Administrator
    

12. DATE OF CREATION: 11/08/02

13. AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: N/A

14. EXPIRATION DATE: 12/08/02