 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 33, No. 9 * May 7, 2001 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Senate clears new brownfields funding By Stephanie Osborne
The full Senate passed S. 350, the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001, on April 25. The bill would increase funds to localities for the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields (old industrial sites containing low-level environmental contamination) and clear liability hurdles that currently serve as a disincentive for redevelopment. It would also give state governments a larger role in brownfields programs. The final vote in the Senate of the NACo-supported bill was 99-0. President Bush has touted brownfields cleanup and redevelopment as a centerpiece of his environmental agenda. In his 2002 budget blueprint released in April, Bush proposed to provide the EPA with $97 million for brownfields programs, a 4 percent increase over 2001. Under S. 350, $150 million would be authorized for grants to counties and other local governments. Another $50 million would be available to the states to help manage brownfields programs at the state level. Action on similar legislation in the House is expected this summer. (For more information, contact Stephanie Osborn, associate legislative director, (202) 942-4269 or sosborn@naco.org; Shawn Bullard, associate legislative director, (202) 942-4212 or sbullard@naco.org.) |