The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of six organizations to receive a total of $11 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the country under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program, including New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, N.J.
Much of the technical assistance will be provided to communities in underserved and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods - places where environmental cleanup and new jobs are most needed. This assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. It is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities.
About NJIT TAB Program
The NJIT TAB Program will serve as an independent resource and provide technical assistance to communities attempting to cleanup and reclaim brownfields in EPA Region 2, which comprises New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program will help communities through the challenges they commonly face, like engaging the public, interpreting technical data and reports, understanding the health impacts and risks, identifying funding and financing options, understanding environmental regulations, coordinating with stakeholders and building partnerships, and leveraging resources.
“A primary goal of our Brownfields technical assistance program is to help communities transform environmental liabilities into community assets,” said Barry N. Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management.“ Today’s selected grant recipients will serve as independent resources for communities facing the challenges of assessing, cleaning up, and preparing brownfield sites for redevelopment.”
Today’s selected grant recipients are:
The University of Connecticut -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 1.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 2.
The West Virginia University Research Corporation -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 3.
The International City/County Management Association -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 4.
The Kansas State University -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Regions 5-8. The university will also coordinate with the other selected recipients on nationally led efforts and tools.
The Center for Creative Land Recycling – will provide assistance in EPA’s Regions 9 and 10.
Background:
The Brownfields TAB Program helps communities, states, tribes and others understand the human health and environmental risks associated with contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, and learn how to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse them.
For example, the training and research to be delivered by the selected TAB providers will assist communities in:
-
Identifying and prioritizing brownfields for redevelopment.
-
Determining the potential public health impact of brownfield sites.
-
Identifying appropriate funding/financing approaches.
-
Applying for and managing EPA brownfields grants.
-
Evaluating economic feasibility of reuse plans.
-
Interpreting technical brownfield reports, assessments, and plans.
-
Understanding and navigate regulatory requirements.
This Technical Assistance for Brownfields grant is a competitive grant awarded every five years; providing up to $200,000 per year over the course of five years.
