Senate Passes New Brownfields Legislation

The Senate unanimously passed brownfields legislation after the House passed the same bill at the end of a marathon, all night session. The Brownfields Reform and Small Business Liability Relief Act (HR 2869) will increase annual spending for the cleanup program from $92 million to $200 million. Current federal spending on brownfields is about $98 million ayear, so the new measure would more than double the funding available.The redevelopment of brownfields sites, approximately 450,000nationwide, is a critical smart growth tool that helps to revitalizecommunities and alleviate pressure to develop farmland and open space.