By Judy Sheahan
June 4, 2007

The House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee voted to increase EPA brownfields assessment and cleanup grants by 12 percent from $89 million to $100 million. Although $150 million is authorized for this section that primarily is used by local governments, historically it has received no more than $92 million. The full House Appropriations Committee is tentatively scheduled to take up the bill on June 7, after the Memorial Day recess. The extra money, although modest, would be welcomed since only one out of three qualified brownfield applications are currently being funded every year.

The Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee will also be taking action in early to mid June. Please contact the Senate Subcommittee as well as your Senators to encourage them to support full funding ($250 million for the entire program with $150 million for assessments and cleanup grants) for the EPA Brownfields Program.