Nine communities in Pennsylvania received part of the $74 million the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded this week in brownfield revitialization grants.

"Brownfields initiatives demonstrate how environmental protection and economic development work hand-in-hand. This funding will help the community assess, and if needed, clean up an abandoned eyesore, provide employment and turn problem properties into productive reuse," said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA's mid-Atlantic region.

The Pennsylvania grants include:

Cambria County Redevelopment Authority: A $200,000 brownfields assessment grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct 10 Phase I and five to 10 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to conduct health monitoring and support community outreach activities.

Chester County Public Safety Training Foundation: A $200,000 grant to clean up a 40-acre site along Route 82 in Coatesville. When the site is cleaned up, the foundation plans to build and operate a public safety training center at the location. Training activities and site operations are expected to create 35 to 50 new jobs. Cleanup of the site also is expected to reduce environmental contamination of the nearby Brandywine Creek.

Clearfield County Economic Development Corporation: Two grants, one $200,000 for hazardous substances and $200,000 for petroleum. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to perform a site inventory, conduct five Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, and support community involvement activities. Petroleum grant funds will be used to perform the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

Johnstown Redevelopment Authority: A $200,000 hazardous substances assessment grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Rosedale KOZ/Ore Yard site in Johnstown. The site was once used to store raw materials for the Bethlehem Steel Complex. Site soil is contaminated with heavy metals, including zinc, arsenic, and cadmium. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities.

Lancaster County: A $200,000 brownfields assessment grant. County officials have identified about 180 sites throughout the county that could benefit from brownfields funding including many in the urban areas of the city of Lancaster. Brownfields assessment is expected to help the county determine the extent of environmental contamination at these sites and catalyze investment in brownfields redevelopment.

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation: A $200,000 hazardous substances grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to update a brownfields inventory and conduct about seven Phase I and about three Phase II environmental site assessments in the Lehigh Valley. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities.

North Side Industrial Development Company, Allegheny County: Two grants $200,000 hazardous substances and $200,000 for petroleum assessments. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to develop a brownfields inventory and perform five Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

Scranton: A $200,000 brownfields assessment grant. Through informal brownfields inventory efforts, the city has identified at least 19 potential properties that could benefit from brownfields funding. Brownfields assessment is expected to help the city determine the extent of environmental contamination at the sites and catalyze investment in brownfields redevelopment.

Washington County Authority: A $550,000 hazardous substances grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Old Dietary Building, Laurel Hall, and the General Storeroom, all part of the former Western Center at 333 Curry Hill Road. Grant funds also will be used to develop cleanup plans and conduct post-cleanup monitoring. Environmental concerns include inorganic materials, solvents, and electrical equipment components made with hazardous materials.

For more information, visit the EPA Brownfields Grants and Funding webpage.

NewsClip: Scranton Gets EPA Grant to Study Brownfields

4/11/2008