EPA to fund Brownfield Sustainability Pilot programs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last month that it is providing 16 communities with technical assistance to help them achieve greener assessment, cleanup and redevelopment at their brownfields sites.

The Brownfields Sustainability Pilots are an EPA effort to promote environmental sustainability at local brownfields projects. Eight cities will receive money from the EPA: Burlington, Vt.; Cleveland; Greenville, S.C.; Houston; Laredo, Texas; Lynchburg, Va.; Springfield, Mo.; and Valley, Ala. Additionally, Humboldt County, Calif., San Juan County, Colo., and six nonprofit organizations in various communities will receive assistance.

Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.

EPA assistance will support activities such as the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition materials, green building and infrastructure design, energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy development and native landscaping.

"Brownfields redevelopment and sustainable reuse can go hand in hand," said Susan Bodine, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "These pilots will also demonstrate best practices that can be used by other communities across the country."

The Burlington Community and Economic Development Office will receive assistance to renovate the Moran Center, a former coal-fired electric generating plant on Burlington's waterfront, according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. EPA will assist in designing plans to incorporate effective stormwater management and enhance wetlands at the site. The project will create a variety of year-round recreational and educational activities that will enhance access to Lake Champlain and expand the Waterfront Park.

In Greenville, the city is redeveloping a former service station and adjacent supermarket into affordable work force housing. The Greenville Workforce Housing Project will incorporate sustainable features such as porous surfaces and rain gardens to manage stormwater and green building concepts. The project will help to accommodate the city's need for affordable work force housing that is healthier and more sustainable.

The City of Houston is revitalizing a 300 acre former landfill located 10 minutes from downtown into a solar power plant which would help build a local market for solar energy systems and create jobs. EPA assistance will help analyze the environmental and engineering issues of building a solar plant on the site and help conduct solar energy production and financial feasibility studies.

The Commercial Street Historic District in Springfield has been the focus of the city's revitalization efforts. EPA will assist in developing a sustainability plan to coordinate efforts in this six block area, a National Historic Registered District, including providing guidance on green infrastructure and green design principles for several properties in the district.

Details: For more information on the Brownfields Sustainability Pilots and to see a full list of recipients and projects, visit www.epa.gov/brown fields/sustain?_plts/index.htm.