EPA awards $1.2M in R.I. for brownfields cleanup

THE R.I. Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will share $1.2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up brownfield sites.
THE R.I. Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will share $1.2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up brownfield sites.

PROVIDENCE – More than $1.2 million in federal grants to help the R.I. Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank clean up brownfield sites was awarded last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program.
A brownfield site is a vacant or abandoned property that is difficult to redevelop due to contamination.
“This federal funding will help communities come together to restore these blighted areas and prepare them for productive use,” U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed said in a statement. “Revitalizing, remediating and redeveloping these areas can enhance public health, protect the environment and lead to future economic growth.”
DEM received $400,000 in brownfield assessment grants. Funding will be used to conduct environmental site assessments and related community outreach activities.
DEM Director Janet L. Coit said redeveloping brownfields is a win all around for Rhode Island.
“We’re cleaning up our environment, revitalizing communities and creating jobs,” Coit said.
The infrastructure bank will receive $820,000 to capitalize a revolving loan fund that will support cleanups at sites contaminated with hazardous substances. The grant also will be used to manage the fund and provide information to the community. Funds will be used primarily for projects in West Warwick’s Arctic Village, the Woonasquatucket/Valley Corridor in Providence, and Pawtucket and Central Falls transit hubs.
Jeff Diehl, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank executive director, said its financing program is a “natural complement” to the DEM’s assessment grant.
“We look forward to partnering with DEM to build a robust remediation financing program,” Diehl said.
New England municipalities and organizations were awarded approximately $16 million in brownfield grants by EPA.

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