The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 30 approved the bipartisan Brownfields Reauthorization Act, a measure that U.S. Rep. John Katko (R–Camillus) on March 30 introduced with U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D–Connecticut). The legislation, adopted by a 409-8 vote, reauthorizes the brownfields program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The reauthorization could help communities […]
The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 30 approved the bipartisan Brownfields Reauthorization Act, a measure that U.S. Rep. John Katko (R–Camillus) on March 30 introduced with U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D–Connecticut).
The legislation, adopted by a 409-8 vote, reauthorizes the brownfields program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The reauthorization could help communities in Central New York and nationwide “revitalize” neighborhoods and “spur” economic development through brownfields reassessment and remediation, Katko’s office said in a news release.
The legislation was included as part of a larger bill, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauth-orization Act of 2017, Katko’s office said.
Brownfields are segments of land that were once used for industrial purposes or commercial use. Often, this land is contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution, and requires environmental remediation.
Originally authorized in 2002, the EPA’s brownfields program “empowers” states, communities, and stakeholders to “assess, clean up, and redevelop” these sites. However, the EPA’s brownfields program expired in 2006, though it has continued to receive “nominal” funding.
The bill would reauthorize the EPA brownfields program through fiscal-year 2022, at a rate of $250 million per year. It would also increase the cleanup-grant amount from $200,000 to $600,000, and expand eligibility requirements for certain nonprofits, limited-liability corporations, limited partnerships, and community-development entities, Katko’s office said.
Katko remarks
“Representing Central New York, the issue of blighted properties and contaminated lands that remain from previous industrial hubs is all too familiar to me,” Katko said in remarks on the House floor on Nov. 30. “The brownfields program has been pivotal in the development and re-use of previously uninhabitable and unusable properties throughout my district.”
As his remarks continued, Katko noted how he worked with Esty to craft the legislation.
“This measure contains many of the important reforms authored by Representative Esty and myself, including language clarifying liability for local governments and leaseholders and expanding eligibility to assessment and remediation grants. These provisions are intended to increase the effectiveness of brownfields grants and will lead to faster cleanups,” said Katko.
The Republican has previously noted how communities in his area — the 24th Congressional district — including Syracuse, Auburn, Fulton, Oswego, and Wolcott, have “benefited from this program.”
“With Onondaga Lake in our backyard, Central New Yorkers know all too well the impact of industrial pollution. The Brownfields program has been a critical aid to the redevelopment and reuse of blighted properties not only in Syracuse, but also in Auburn, Fulton, Oswego, and Wolcott, among other sites throughout the region,” Katko said in a March 30 news release, first announcing the introduction of this brownfields reauthorization legislation. “Redevelopment of Brownfields sites helps to revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic development, and create jobs.”
The U.S. Senate still needs to approve the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017. President Donald Trump would also have to sign the measure before it becomes law.
