EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfield sites. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002, as amended by the Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development Act of 2018, was passed to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfield sites. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through five competitive grant programs: Multipurpose Grants, Assessment Grants, Revolving Loan Fund Grants, Cleanup Grants, and Job Training Grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.
$500,000
EPA has selected the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct eight Phase I and eight Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop an inventory of brownfield sites, conduct at least four community meetings, and perform other community engagement activities. Assessment activities will occur throughout KVCOG's service area of Kennebec, Somerset, and western Waldo Counties with a focus on the Cities of Fairfield, Skowhegan, Waterville, and Bingham. Priority sites include a 1908 colonial revival brick building, a 123,000-square-foot former wood product manufacturing and veneer mill facility, and former fueling stations.