Allison BarnetteThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $267 million in Brownfields grants for fiscal year (FY) 2025 to support the cleanup and revitalization of contaminated and underused properties across the United States. This funding will help protect public health, stimulate economic growth and promote environmental sustainability in communities nationwide.
The funding covers 214 grants in 207 communities. This year’s allocation denotes a significant increase since the program began with $60 million in 1995. Since the program’s inception, the EPA has allocated $2.9 billion in brownfield funds, reflecting an intensified commitment to cleaning up sites for environmental and health quality and making communities more productive. These projects help prevent urban sprawl by rehabilitating spaces within the cities, conserving undeveloped lands and boosting economic activity and jobs creation.
The largest portion of the funding—$121.8 million—is allocated to assessment grants. Cleanup grants will be awarded $88.2 million. Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants will receive $15 million, while an additional $42 million is apportioned for supplemental RLF grants.
Brownfield sites differ from Superfund sites in that they are not severely contaminated. With assessment and cleanup, these sites can be safely revitalized for a range of uses from community needs like housing and parks to commercial needs like offices and retail.
The continuing EPA funding for brownfield grants aligns with a bipartisan commitment to environmental remediation in combination with economic revitalization.
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