Brownfields program up for reauthorization
With Congress expected to begin discussions next year on the reauthorization of the brownfields program, an informal coalition is recommending several changes to the program.
The coalition, a mix of 15 public and private entities, was formed last year during the annual brownfields national conference in Denver. With the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act expiring Sept. 30, the brownfields proponents viewed this as an opportunity to build on the success of the program’s last five years, says Charlie Bartsch, vice president of ICF International in Fairfax, Va., and a coalition member. The coalition believes it’s time to refine the successful program and enhance it, Bartsch says.
However, while the reauthorization appears to have congressional support, the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has recommended only two changes to the program: the elimination of the 25 percent petroleum funding set-aside restriction and a requirement to consider green building standards when ranking grant applications. A six-year extension of the program also has been recommended by the committee.
The EPA and the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska have not taken an official position on the reauthorization. However, the coalition believes these proposed changes aren’t enough. In fact, it’s proposing nearly two dozen changes.
For more information on the coalition’s proposed changes, see Bartsch’s article titled “Brownfields Program Reauthorization Under Way: Congressional Action, Stakeholder Advocacy” that outlines the recommendations. Published in the Sept. 21 update of BNA’s Environmental Due Diligence Guide, it can be viewed at http://ehscenter.bna.com/pic2/ehs.nsf/id/BNAP-6UBFCL?OpenDocument.
