"Maximizing Opportunities for Redeveloping Brownfields Sites: Assessing the Potential for New American Innovation."

Environment

2025-03-11

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The subcommittee convened to examine the implementation and reauthorization of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brownfields Grant Program, a bipartisan initiative aimed at redeveloping contaminated properties across the United States . Speakers highlighted the program's proven success in stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities, while also discussing challenges related to funding, bureaucratic delays, and staffing levels at the EPA . Witnesses provided insights into the program's impact, proposed improvements, and emphasized its potential to drive future industrial innovation [ 00:08:17 ] .

Themes

Brownfields Program Success and Economic Impact

The Brownfields program is recognized for transforming hazardous, underutilized properties into productive assets, such as shopping centers, industrial parks, affordable housing, and green spaces [ 01:22:14-01:22:41 ]

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. Since 2002, it has supported the revitalization of tens of thousands of acres, leveraging over $20 in economic activity for every federal dollar invested and creating numerous jobs . This initiative has consistently enjoyed bipartisan support as an effective tool for environmental protection and economic development at the local level [ 00:15:03 ]

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Funding and Program Reauthorization

The program's statutory authorization expired in September 2023, prompting calls for reauthorization . The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided an unprecedented $1.5 billion, with provisions like increased grant maximums and waived cost-share requirements, which have been lauded as effective for tackling more complex sites and supporting disadvantaged communities [ 00:08:23 ] . Recommendations for reauthorization include annual funding of $250-300 million for the next five years, higher grant caps (up to $10 million for cleanup and multipurpose grants), and increased flexibility for acquisition funds and administrative caps [ 00:37:51-00:38:10 ]

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Streamlining Permitting and Development Processes

A critical barrier to brownfield redevelopment is the prolonged delays in site assessments, environmental permits, and connections to the electricity grid, which can significantly increase project costs and deter private investment . Proposed solutions include authorizing automatic sign-off for certified third-party expert site assessments, implementing a "permit-by-rule" approach for critical infrastructure projects in pre-cleared locations, and refocusing NEPA reviews on unquantified environmental impacts to avoid redundancy with other laws . Additionally, setting a six-month limit on electricity interconnection decisions and leveraging automated technology solutions are suggested to accelerate project timelines .

New Industrial Opportunities on Brownfields

Brownfields are identified as prime locations for developing new infrastructure and facilities to support emerging industries and growing economic needs . Specific opportunities include data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, submarine and shipbuilding, energy production, and plastics recycling . These sites often retain essential infrastructure, such as power delivery, making them particularly attractive for energy-intensive facilities like data centers . Repurposing former coal and mine lands for industrial parks, renewable energy, and small modular reactors (SMRs) is also highlighted as a way to create jobs and enhance energy security .

Impact of EPA Staffing and Funding Instability

Concerns were raised regarding potential funding cuts and staffing reductions at the EPA, which could severely hinder the Brownfields program's effectiveness . Witnesses reported delays in accessing awarded grants and difficulties in coordinating with EPA staff, impacting project timelines and the stability of redevelopment efforts . Such instability particularly affects underserved communities that rely on federal support for cleanup and revitalization, as it can reduce training opportunities, slow progress, and make it difficult to attract private investment .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a collaborative and bipartisan tone, with multiple members acknowledging the shared support for the Brownfields program [ 00:15:03 ]

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. There was an underlying optimism about the program's potential for economic growth and community revitalization . However, this optimism was tempered by concern over bureaucratic delays, funding instability, and potential staffing cuts at the EPA, which speakers feared could undermine the program's success . The discussions were generally focused on efficiency and impact, emphasizing the need to streamline processes and maximize the program's benefits for communities nationwide .

Participants

Transcript

um
Thank you.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
Subcommittee will come to order.
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
The chair recognizes himself for five minutes for an opening statement.  Today, this subcommittee will examine implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Grant Program.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
Brownfields are generally described as properties that contain or may contain a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant, which in turn complicates efforts to expand, redevelop, or reuse the site.
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
Often these contaminated sites are not redeveloped because prospective new owners are worried about becoming responsible
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
for potential liability as the original company that is liable for the contamination no longer exists.
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
Through this program, EPA provides grant funding to states, tribes, economic development agencies, and other entities who are then able to study the extent of contamination, clean up the site, and find a way to redevelop it.  Since 1993, EPA has administered efforts to clean up these sites.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
Congress first formally established the Brownfields Program
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
in the Small Business Liability Relief in Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002 and codified it under the Comprehensive Environment Response Compensation and Liability Act.  The Brownfields program has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support and the last statutory authorization expired last September at the end of fiscal year 2023.  Reauthorizing this program will provide us with an opportunity to examine the program and find out what aspects are working well   and what aspects need improvement.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
I believe taking testimony from our witnesses today will help us to inform our efforts.  Additionally, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided an unprecedented supplemental appropriation of 1.5 billion for brownfields.
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
The awards funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act were exempted from some of the traditional statutory limitations, such as certain maximum grant amounts and state and local cost share requirements.   We will need to examine these changes and understand their advantages and their disadvantages.  EPA estimates there are more than 450,000 brownfield properties in the United States.  This amounts to a lot of unused or underutilized land with great economic potential.  Broadly, we also know that we will need additional infrastructure and facilities to support our growing economy and process the materials and components needed for new, innovative technologies.   The Brownfields program may also be a good tool to help secure American leadership in emerging industries and traditional manufacturing.  For example, ABI Research and Industry Analysis firm estimates that by the end of 2025, there will be over 6,000 data centers built worldwide as artificial intelligence continues to take off.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
Over the next five years, our country's electricity demand
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
is expected to grow by 16%.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
This growing demand will entail construction of additional energy resources.  So today we will examine opportunities to bring those industries to brownfield sites in our communities and explore existing barriers to put these sites to good use.
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
In my district in Southwest Virginia, counties, state agencies, regional organizations, and public-private partnerships have already been hard at work revitalizing former mine land for economic development.   I hope we can learn more today about how the Brownfields program can support these endeavors and similar ones around the country.  Thanks to our witnesses for being here and contributing to these efforts.  First, we have the Honorable Jim Connaughton, Chief Executive Officer of James L. Connaughton Strategies, where he works on sustainable technology innovation and public policy.   Mr. Connaughton recently served as CEO of Nautilus Data Technologies, a company producing data center components with minimal environmental impacts.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
He also served as chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Bush.
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Ms. Christa Stoneham
As you all know, this committee has been engaged in robust discussion over the past few years on ways to improve permitting process generally, so we welcome his extensive experience in this area.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
We also welcome back Mayor Christian Balwage.
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Ms. Christa Stoneham
Did I get that right?   From the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, the committee greatly appreciates him lending his knowledge and expertise to our efforts to reauthorize the Brownfields program.  We will also hear from Krista Stoneham, president and CEO of the Houston Land Bank.  Thank you for being here today and sharing your insights on the program and efforts to revitalize the areas your organization serves.  Last but not least, I'm excited to recognize and to welcome my constituent, Dwayne Miller, executive director   of Lenowisco Planning District Commission.  And if you want the definition of what that is, we'll give it to you later.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
But my staff and I have had the privilege of working with the commission for years.  They've played an integral role in attracting emerging industries to our region, creating jobs, and cleaning up abandoned sites in Southwest Virginia.
M
Ms. Christa Stoneham
Thank you all for being here, and I look forward to a good discussion today.
M
Mr. J. Christian Bollwage
And I now recognize the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Tonko, for his opening statement.
Well, thank you, Mr. Chair.   EPA's Brownfields program has enjoyed tremendous bipartisan support for decades.  I do hope we can continue to work together to examine and strengthen the program in the 119th Congress.

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