Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $2.79 million in grants through the Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Louisiana, aiming to advance environmental justice and create healthier communities. This initiative is funded by a $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosed that these investments will be channeled through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs. The selected recipients include the cities of Alexandria, Bogalusa, Baker, and the Rapides Area Planning Commission.
“Far too many communities across America have suffered the harmful economic and health consequences of living near polluted brownfield sites,” said President Joe Biden. “I've long believed that people who’ve borne the burden of pollution should be the first to see the benefits of new investment.”
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized that President Biden secured historic funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up contaminated properties in overburdened communities and bring them back into productive use.
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr., representing Louisiana's 2nd district, noted that this grant would fund comprehensive environmental site assessments and support various developmental plans alongside community engagement efforts.
Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance highlighted Louisiana’s success with Brownfields programs in leveraging funding for revitalization by cleaning up contamination sources.
Many economically stressed communities lack resources for initiating brownfield cleanup projects. Transforming these sites can attract jobs and promote economic revitalization while advancing environmental justice.
The EPA’s Brownfields Program supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of certain Federal investments' overall benefits to flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and pollution.
The specific allocations are as follows:
- The city of Alexandria will receive $1,290,550 for cleanup at a former dry-cleaning site.
- The city of Baker will receive $500,000 for conducting multiple environmental site assessments.
- The city of Bogalusa will also receive $500,000 for similar assessments targeting several neighborhoods.
- The Rapides Area Planning Commission will get $500,000 focusing on Pineville's Downtown Neighborhood.
These grants are part of an effort by EPA's Brownfields Program initiated in 1995 which has provided nearly $2.7 billion in grants to date.
Further details on FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup applicants selected for funding can be found on EPA’s website along with information on RLF Supplemental funding recipients and RLF Technical Assistance grant recipients.
