From Blight to Benefit: Early Results From California’s Equitable Cleanup Program

The Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) program, launched in 2021 by California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), represents a major shift in how the state approaches brownfield cleanup and reuse. Prioritizing environmental justice and equitable development, ECRG was designed to serve communities disproportionately burdened by pollution and disinvestment. The Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley recently released a report that assesses the program’s early implementation, examining how its design influenced project selection and outcomes, and how it differs from traditional approaches to brownfields redevelopment.

With over $129 million awarded across 90 projects, ECRG has shown early signs of success in aligning cleanup efforts with community needs. Compared to a sample of 108 non-ECRG brownfield projects, ECRG-funded efforts were more likely to be led by public or nonprofit entities, include robust community engagement, and be located in low-income or environmental justice communities. Projects supported by ECRG also placed a stronger emphasis on equitable outcomes, such as affordable housing, local workforce development, and community-centered reuse like parks and gardens.

The program’s design and execution reflected a collaborative and adaptive model, incorporating feedback from partners like the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) to improve equity and accountability. While it is too early to fully evaluate long-term impacts, ECRG stands out as a promising model for integrating equity into brownfields policy and practice. Findings of the report offer valuable insights for California and other states seeking to transform contaminated lands into assets that serve—and are shaped by—the communities most affected.