Environmental Protection Agency announces $232 million in grants to clean up Brownfield sites

Key Takeaways

On September 6, the EPA announced $232 million in grant funding through the EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) program. Counties are eligible for funding to assess and clean up polluted brownfields within their jurisdiction.  

What are Brownfields?

Brownfield sites are properties that have been exposed to pollutants, hazardous substances or contaminants. These abandoned, damaged areas cause nearby residents to face environmental concerns and reduced property values.  

The purpose of Brownfields program funding is to assess and clean up contaminated sites to remove harmful substances and pollution. Counties can also use Brownfields funding to redevelop these sites to return them to productive use.  

Counties with Brownfields sites

Nearly two out of every three counties, 64 percent, have an identified brownfield property. Through the Brownfield funding opportunities, counties can clean up and revitalize these contaminated and abandoned properties.

Brownfield grant programs

Counties are eligible to apply for the following Brownfields Program grants:

Cleanup Grants: These grants fund the cleanup of sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or petroleum. They support the removal or treatment of environmental contaminants to restore the safety and usability of affected properties.

Community-wide Assessment Grants: These grants help communities create and manage inventories of Brownfield sites. They support activities such as prioritizing sites for redevelopment, conducting community outreach, performing site assessments, developing cleanup strategies, and formulating reuse plans.

Assessment Coalition Grants: These grants are similar to Community-wide Assessment Grants but are intended for a lead entity to partner with two to four smaller, eligible entities. This collaborative approach assists counties and other organizations that may lack the capacity to apply for or manage EPA grants independently.

Revolving Loan Fund Grants: These grants offer no-interest or low-interest loans for eligible brownfield cleanups.  

EPA anticipates awarding approximately 200 grants nationwide this cycle at amounts ranging from $500,000 to $4 million per award. This funding is provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,  (P.L 117-58). Applications are due by November 14, 2024 through grants.gov.

Resources

Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Application Resources

EPA Brownfields Homepage

NACo’s Brownfields Primer

NACo’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Resource

Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization Open Webinars

Assessment Grants: September 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET

Cleanup Grants: September 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET