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Issue #11 | December 2021

Brownfield Resources and Updates

 

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Join us for a conversation with a U.S. Representative on the state of the redevelopment field

Thursday, Dec. 16th | 1-2 PM ET

Join the National Brownfields Coalition and Representative Dan Kildee from Michigan’s 5th Congressional District for an engaging discussion around the state of brownfield redevelopment, opportunities arising from the infrastructure bill , and other federal legislation.

During this webinar, speakers will address bipartisan support for brownfield redevelopment and expectations on how billions in funding to assess and cleanup brownfields will impact communities and economic revitalization. You will also hear about how the Coalition represents you in Washington DC, and its policy priorities around appropriations and the federal tax incentive.

 

Feature Story

The National Brownfields Coalition was proud to testify before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment in a congressional hearing focused on “promoting economic and community redevelopment and environmental justice in the revitalization and reuse of contaminated properties.”

December 8th, 2021: Chairwoman Grace Napolitano (CA-32) opened the session by highlighting the economic, environmental, and equity-focused benefits arising from new funding vehicles for brownfield and superfund remediation and redevelopment —including the highly anticipated Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Reauthorization Act of 2021. Six environmental justice and brownfield redevelopment advocates from across the country, including our very own Michael Goldstein, provided testimony on issues including the federal brownfields tax incentive, affordable housing incentives, support for EJ40, EPA’s role in supporting EJ communities, reinforcing partnerships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and more. After providing formal testimony, witnesses addressed a series of questions from the Committee surrounding tax policy and the various funding vehicles that exist to promote environmental redevelopment, concerns of gentrification, the need for substantial technical support to communities, and the catalytic potential of meaningful community involvement for long-term environmental resilience.

Michael Goldstein is a long-time member of our Steering Committee and Chair of the NBC Public Policy, Redevelopment Incentives, and Regulatory Partnerships Committee. He represented the Coalition before the Subcommittee informed by three decades of experience working with communities to remediate, redevelop, and reuse contaminated sites. Mr. Goldstein’s testimony reiterated the importance of fostering robust inter-agency and intersectoral partnerships to support EJ communities and the need for additional targeted funding for acquisition, remediation, and reuse of contaminated sites for affordable, workforce, and attainable housing.

“Much of this work - difficult, challenging work - occurs in communities of color disproportionately burdened by human health risk, financial disinvestment, failing infrastructure, inequitable access to medical facilities and fresh produce providers, and the crush of economic gentrification and climate gentrification … We believe that this money will be catalytic and the delivery vehicle for much of the remediation that occurs of the most impaired water resources in the most disproportionately impacted neighborhoods across the land - urban, suburban, and rural.”

 
 

Reads and Resources

Follow the Coalition on LinkedIn to stay up to date on our happenings and initiatives

  • What's in the Infrastructure Bill for Brownfields? The new Infrastructure Bill invests more than $1.5 billion in EPA's Brownfields Program, helping to restore the economic vitality of communities across the country. View EPA’s breakdown of funding for brownfields.

  • Brownfields Sites Poised for Big Funding Amid Equity Concerns: Environmental advocates, including the Coalition’s Michael Goldstein, addressed concerns of gentrification, affordable housing, and environmental pollution related to EPA’s Brownfields program during a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment last week. Bloomberg Law. ​​

  • Major Boost Coming in Federal Brownfield and Superfund Spending and Focus: While largely pumping additional funds into existing, established federal Brownfield programs, the bill also provides opportunities for expanding the role and integration of environmental justice (EJ), clean energy, and electric vehicle (EV) initiatives into Brownfield policy and practice. Akerman LLP.

  • Q&A with Kate Lucas, AICP, RE|Solutions, LLC: Kate Lucas is a planning project manager with RE|Solutions, LLC and has worked with over 45 different municipalities to manage the design, entitlement, and CEQA process for brownfield projects.. Mile High CRE.

  • Analysis of the Use of the CERCLA Section 128(a) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG): The ASTSWMO Brownfields Focus Group created a research tool to poll States regarding barriers to applying for the CERCLA Section 128(a) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG). Their analysis details common challenges to applying for TAG and offers a series of potential solutions. ASTSWMO.

 

This Week

The National Brownfields Coalition will be participating in a roundtable with EPA's Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR) on issues around gentrification and displacement of long-term community residents as the nation works toward responsible brownfield redevelopment. The conversation will touch on equity challenges in revitalization, resources for education and assistance to communities, and strategies to prevent displacement. Look out for an email from the Coalition summarizing key findings and insights soon!

 

The Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act needs your support

Restoring this vital tax credit to revitalize our communities is long overdue. We encourage you to reach out to your Representatives today and urge them to cosponsor the bipartisan bill H.R. 4427.

 

JOIN

THE

MOVE

MENT

 The National Brownfields Coalition is a non-partisan alliance of public interest organizations, academics, as well as public and private sector professionals who develop and advocate for policies and practices that support the responsible cleanup and reuse of underutilized, blighted, or environmentally impacted land. Our mission is to educate, advocate, and convene stakeholders nationally to advance the social, economic, public health, environmental, and quality of life benefits of environmental cleanup and reuse for all communities.

There has never been a better time to be part of the National Brownfields Coalition. Join our passionate team to realize significant gains in legislation, appropriations and policies that revitalize our communities through land reuse. NBC membership at any level offers the opportunity to participate in our five active committees working to achieve our brownfields goals.

 

If you or your organization are hosting any events related to brownfields redevelopment and you’d like to share registration information with the Coalition’s network, please email mguglielmone@smartgrowthamerica.org with the details.

About the National Brownfields Coalition
Contact: https://smartgrowthamerica.org/about-us/contact-us/

The National Brownfields Coalition works to ensure the responsible cleanup and reuse of underutilized, blighted, or environmentally impacted land. A program of Smart Growth America and the Center for Creative Land Recycling.

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