The Biden-Harris administration announced more than $13.7 million for cleanup and assessment at polluted Brownfields sites in Massachusetts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allocated $13.79 million from President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites in Massachusetts, focusing on environmental justice, according to a May 25 news release.
"We're working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. "Thanks to President Biden's historic investments in America, we're moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for."
The EPA selected 14 communities in Massachusetts to receive $8.74 million in competitive grants, the largest funding ever awarded in the history of the EPA's Brownfields programs, the release reported. An additional $5.05 million in non-competitive supplemental funding will support two successful existing Revolving Loan Fund Grant programs.
These investments are part of Biden's efforts to grow the American economy, rebuild infrastructure and create clean energy jobs while combating climate change, according to the release.
Regan also highlighted the importance of revitalizing communities and transforming polluted sites into sustainable assets, according to the release.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey expressed gratitude for the federal funding, emphasizing the partnership between the administration and local communities to clean up contaminated properties for beneficial uses like housing and renewable energy generation, the release reported. Various legislators also praised the investments for promoting public health, economic growth and environmental remediation.
The grants aim to address the economic, social and environmental challenges posed by brownfields sites, transforming them into community assets that attract jobs, promote revitalization and contribute to environmental justice, according to the release.
The funding supports the EPA's Brownfields Program, which aligns with the Justice40 Initiative by directing 40% of certain federal investments' benefits to disadvantaged communities, the release said. The program strives to advance environmental justice and equity in its work, with 84% of the selected projects proposing to work in historically underserved areas. Non-competitive supplemental funding will be provided to existing RLF Grant programs, allowing communities to continue their brownfields cleanup and redevelopment efforts.
