EPA Press Advisory

Following are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact.

FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2002

EPA ANNOUNCES GREEN BUILDING PROJECTS
ON BROWNFIELDS SITES IN EIGHT STATES

Dave Ryan 202-564-7827/ryan.dave@epa.gov

In an initiative designed to promote the construction of environmentally friendly buildings on Brownfields properties nationwide, EPA today announced the launch of Green Buildings on Brownfields pilot projects in eight states. Green buildings conserve energy, water and materials and create healthy indoor and outdoor environments. They can include residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings and even major remodeling of existing buildings. EPA is providing technical assistance to each of these Brownfields pilot projects in the form of services totaling $15,000. The Agency is providing expertise in areas such as design and water efficiency. EPA hopes these pilots serve as models, providing an incentive to localities and developers to build green buildings on Brownfields nationwide. These projects are located in: Springfield, Mass.; Toledo, Ohio; Kauai, Hawaii; Mt. Shasta, Calif.; Spartanburg, S.C.; Little Rock, Ark.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Baltimore, Md. Brownfields are abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. For general information about green building, see EPA's green building web page at: http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding; for more information on EPA's Brownfields Program, see: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields