The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners to open the 2026 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference in Bethlehem, according to a recent announcement.
During the opening plenary, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey said, "Brownfields redevelopment protects public health, restores land and water, and bolsters economies -- and we’re seeing those benefits in communities across Pennsylvania. When we partner together with states and local communities — especially with in-person events like this — we move faster from assessment to reuse. Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA is working to ensure our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water – and Brownfields projects prove that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity go hand in hand."
Throughout the three-day event, EPA highlighted how partnerships align brownfields investments with housing, infrastructure, economic development, and transportation to move sites from assessment to reuse. The Mid-Atlantic Region team worked alongside Technical Assistance to Brownfields partners, universities, and nonprofits to answer questions about projects and assist with competitive applications. An all-grantee workshop was held at the start of the conference.
Presentations included Project Officer Christian Smith discussing EPA’s Targeted Brownfield Assessment program with contractor Batta Environmental. Acting Section Chief Michael McDonald provided federal program updates and participated in a panel on Revitalization Playbooks for site redevelopment.
Van Blarcom-Lackey noted that hundreds of EPA Brownfields grants have supported thousands of acres assessed across Pennsylvania. She highlighted recent projects such as a cleanup grant restoring Nanticoke Creek in Ashley; a $10 million state grant for redeveloping Carlisle’s former Frog, Switch & Manufacturing complex; and hazardous substance cleanup at New Kensington’s Advanced Manufacturing Park using an EPA revolving loan fund award.
Nationally since its inception, the Brownfields Program has delivered nearly $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding while supporting more than 220,500 jobs. More than 21,000 individuals have completed job training through the program. Additional information is available on the official roster page.
