E.P.A. Chooses Western Pennsylvania Communities

Category: Hazardous Waste
Type: News
Source: EPA
Date: Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (May 28, 2014) Several western Pennsylvania communities will share in a nationwide total of $67 million in brownfields backing announced today by the E.P.A. to support cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties. Among the grants in Pennsylvania, 2 that total $1 million will help Beaver and Lawrence Counties conduct environmental assessments of properties possibly contaminated by hazardous waste and petroleum.

"EPA's backing will help Beaver and Lawrence Counties in their efforts to clean up abandoned and underused sites for more economically beneficial uses, showing how small, rural communities can leverage brownfields grants to build a healthier future," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin.

Nationwide, 171 communities in 44 states are receiving 264 E.P.A. brownfields grants, giving communities and businesses a chance to reuse properties that have been laying idle and turn them into useful assets. These brownfields investments boost local economies and create new opportunities for community revitalization.

The grants to Pennsylvania include:

· Beaver Co. was selected to gain brownfields assessment grant backing totaling $600,000. The Co. will use the backing to conduct up to 22 environmental location assessments at properties perceived to be contaminated with hazardous waste, and another ten assessments at sites perceived to be contaminated with petroleum. The backing will also support community engagement activities and cleanup planning. Coalition partners are the City of Aliquippa, Borough of Midland, and Borough of Monaca in Beaver County, and Moon Township in Allegheny County.

· Lawrence Co. has experience and success in brownfields redevelopment. They will gain a total of $400,000 for 2 brownfields assessment grants to assess sites with potential petroleum and hazardous waste contamination. The funds will be used for reviewing the list of suggested sites targeted for the next level of environmental location assessment. Lawrence will also conduct between 2 and 4 environmental location assessments, develop cleanup projects and conduct community outreach activities.

Since the inception of EPA's brownfields program, Pennsylvania has received nearly $60 million in brownfields funding. Nationwide, EPA's brownfields plan has made cumulative investments leveraging in excess of $21 billion from a range of public and private sources for cleanup and redevelopment activities, resulting in approximately 93,000 jobs.

More information on EPA's brownfields grants: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/grant_info/index.htm

More information on Beaver County, Pa grant announced today: http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/gfs/index.cfm?xpg_id=8549&display_type=HTML

More information on Lawrence County, Pa grant announced today:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/gfs/index.cfm?xpg_id=8665&display_type=HTML

More information on EPA's brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/index.html

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