Brownfields in the 109th Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Sept. 8, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RS22502 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Mark Reisch, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Brownfields Act, which authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) to award grants for the assessment and cleanup of sites that pose a less seriousthreat to human health and the environment than sites addressed by the Superfundprogram, expires on September 30, 2006. A reauthorization bill, H.R. 5810, wasreported from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 28,2006 (H.Rept. 109-608, Part 1), and now awaits action by the House Energy andCommerce Committee. The bill would renew the authorization through FY2012 at thecurrent level of $200 million annually. It also reauthorizes provisions that providefinancial assistance for state and tribal cleanup programs at the current level of $50million per year (for a total authorization of $250 million). Appropriations in the lastfour years have been between $165 million and $171 million. The Department ofHousing and Urban Development also has a small Brownfields Program, which may beeliminated, and approximately 20 other agencies have programs or activities that fostercleanup and development.
