On July 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $13.7 million investment aimed at cleaning up brownfield sites in Massachusetts. These investments will go to 16 organizations and will benefit 14 communities across the state.
According to a press release, EPA's New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash gathered with other state and local officials to highlight brownfield funding in Massachusetts. The EPA has chosen 14 communities in the state to receive a total of $8,740,000 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through various grant programs. This allocation, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, represents the largest funding ever awarded in the history of EPA's Brownfields MARC Grant programs.
"Congratulations to the 16 Massachusetts organizations who have received these new Brownfields this year," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash, according to the press release. "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA will be making the single largest investment in Brownfields in history. This funding will revitalize communities across New England, and jump-start economic redevelopment and job creation in many of New England's hardest hit and underserved communities."
In addition to the competitive funding, the agency announced $5,050,000 in non-competitive supplemental funding for two existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant programs. These funds will support the continuation of cleanup work at sites in their respective areas by expanding the program's capacity to provide additional funding for cleanups, according to the press release.
Part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, these investments aim to strengthen the economy from the bottom up and promote environmental resilience. The funds will help transform polluted and contaminated properties into beneficial assets for housing and renewable energy generation, benefiting environmental justice communities.
The EPA's Brownfields Program has a successful track record of helping communities clean up and repurpose contaminated sites. The recent boost in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows the program to reach more communities, addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by brownfields. The program aligns with President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct 40 percent of certain Federal investments' benefits to disadvantaged communities, promoting environmental justice and equity, according to the press release.
According to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, the federal brownfields funding will enable partnerships with local communities and regional planning agencies, fostering cleanups and revitalization efforts. Various lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Ed Markey and U.S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, expressed their appreciation for the funding and its potential to drive economic growth, protect public health, and create new jobs, as outlined in the press release.
