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EPA Promotes Revitalization with Grants in New York

Release Date: 05/16/2005
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For Release: Monday, May 16, 2005

#05054a) NEW YORK –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today highlighted over $75 million awarded nationally, with over $600,000 awarded in New York, to promote brownfields revitalization with the presentation of a $200,000 check to the City of Albany, New York. The City will use the funds to perform environmental site assessments, review cleanup alternatives, and develop cleanup plans for sites in neighborhoods in and around downtown Albany. Funds will also be used to conduct community-wide meetings.

"One of the first lessons we learned from the Brownfields program was the value of partnerships," said acting EPA Deputy Regional Administrator George Pavlou. "Based on our previous successes in New York, and our existing relationship with the City of Albany, we look forward to our continuing partnership."

The brownfields program enables EPA to provide communities the tools they need to reclaim and restore thousands of brownfields sites, including sites impacted by petroleum, that present relatively low risks to people's health. Four competitive grants programs provide funding to eligible applicants for brownfields assessments, cleanups, revolving loan funds, and job training. The brownfields program allows local governments and nonprofit organizations to apply for funding, greatly expanding the pool eligible for assistance.

In addition to the City of Albany, EPA is awarding the following brownfields grants in New York:

• Yonkers Industrial Development Agency - $44,378 for assessment activities at the Patclin Chemical site along the Hudson River waterfront.
• The City of New York - $200,000 to perform site assessment activities, primarily in low-income and industrial areas.
• STRIVE/East Harlem Employment Services, Inc. - $194,646 for job training.