Gillibrand, Tonko push for new and improved federal brownfields program
By MATTHEW DONDIEGO
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko announced a renewed bipartisan effort to improve programs focused on the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites in local communities across New York state.
The Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development Act, or BUILD Act, would increase funding and development efforts, providing additional resources to provide towns and cities the opportunity to redevelop long-abandoned industrial sites.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are more than 450,000 brownfield sites across the United States. Brownfields are former commercial or industrial sites whose future use is in question due to possible environmental contamination. The BUILD Act would reauthorize the EPA's Brownfields Program, allowing for increased ability to assist local governments and environmental organizations in overhauling such sites.
"Redeveloping brownfields sites is a proven and effective way to revitalize communities and boost the economy," said Gillibrand, D-Brunswick. "Through private investment and business development, job creation, community development and an overall quality of life in the area, through assessing and cleaning up the blighted, contaminated or abandoned sites, communities are able to redevelop them into youthful, livable areas that can drive economic growth and create new jobs."
Read more at http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-07-30-84584.113122-Gillibrand-Tonko-push-for-new-and-improved-federal-brownfields-program.html