Superfund and the Brownfields Issue (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Jan. 16, 2001 |
| Report Number |
97-731ENR |
| Authors |
Mark Reisch |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Congress has before it numerous bills to expand the Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) brownfields program to help communities restore less seriously
contaminated sites that have the potential for economic development. EPA defines
brownfields as abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities
where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental
contamination. A combination of potential environmental, economic and social
benefits gives this program broad support among governments, environmentalists,
developers, and communities.
The brownfields program was established administratively by EPA under the
aegis ofthe Superfund program; without explicit authorityforit in the law, it has been
financed by the Superfund appropriation. The program has expanded to include 363
brownfields assessment grants (most for $200,000 over 2 years); 106 $350,000
revolving loan fund grantsto help finance the actual cleanups; 47 job training grants;
and 28 Brownfields Showcase Communities where technical and financial assistance
from 20 participating federal agenciesis being coordinated with state, local and nongovernmental
efforts.
FY1997 was the first year brownfields became a separate budgetary line item,
at $37.7 million. For FY2000 the appropriation was $91.7 million. In the FY2001
budget, the Administration requested and was appropriated $91.6 million.
The 106thCongress extended the brownfields cleanup tax incentive to December
31, 2003, and expanded it to make all brownfields certified by a state environmental
agency eligible for the tax break. Other brownfield bills introduced in the 106th
Congress appeared to confirmthe general direction EPA has taken. Two Superfund
reauthorization bills were reported in the House, each of which contained a title on
brownfields. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported H.R. 1300
on September 30, 1999 (H.Rept. 106-353, Part I), and the Commerce Committee
ordered H.R. 2580 reported on October 13, 1999 (H.Rept. 106-775, part I).
Negotiations on S. 1090 in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee did
not produce an acceptable bipartisan compromise and the committee agreed to end
their deliberations on August 4, 1999.
This report providesthe history, background, and operations ofthe brownfields
program and briefly reviews its current status. For regularly updated information on
legislative activity, see CRS Issue Brief IB10011, Superfund Reauthorization Issues
in the 106th Congress.
