Extensive Report Looks at “States in Crisis”
National Strategies, LLC (NSI), a nationally recognized business-to-business government consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., has released the results of its special research report, “The 2009 Budget Outlook: States in Crisis.” The report is based on the extensive, first-hand cultivation of information from each of the 50 state budget offices, with an emphasis on identifying strategies each state plans to employ to address their 2009 projected shortfalls. NSI is an NBA corporate member. Read the complete report.
LEGISLATION & POLICY
Click here to read a state-by-state rundown of current, pending brownfield legislation.
Stimulus Status Report
To date, the U.S. EPA has obligated $75.7 million in Stimulus funding for 173 brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund, cleanup and jobs training cooperative agreements.
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House and Senate Divided on HUD Brownfields Programs
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have taken opposite paths on the HUD FY 2010 brownfields programs.
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Brownfields Tax Expensing Bill Introduced
A bill to make the section 198 tax expensing program permanent has been introduced in the House.
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Waterfront Brownfields Bill Introduced in U.S. House
Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has introduced a bill to establish a Waterfront Brownfields Program.
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HUD Contamination Policy Revised to Allow Risk-Based Cleanups
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a revised contamination policy for HUD-assisted multi-family housing projects.
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MI Reforms Brownfield Cleanup Program
In August, the Michigan State Senator Jason Allen introduced draft legislation that would significantly overhaul Michigan’s cleanup program.
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Michigan DEQ and DNR to Merge, NBA Treasurer to Lead Transition
On October 8, Governor Jennifer Granholm created the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE).
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Brownfield Redevelopment is Part of EPA Report on Fighting Climate Change
Brownfield redevelopment and “reusing formerly contaminated lands for renewable energy development” are among the activities the EPA says can help fight climate change in a new report.
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Dodd Introduces Livable Communities Act; Brownfields Would Benefit
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced the Livable Communities Act to authorize more than $4 billion for grant and planning programs (beginning in 2011) that focus on sustainable community strategies. Brownfield redevelopment is listed as one of the activities that these programs would support.
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Treasury Dept. Guides Renewable Energy Project Developers to Stimulus Funds
The Treasury and Energy departments have released eagerly awaited guidance to help renewable energy project developers apply for the roughly $3 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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Stimulus Update: Treasury Dept. Releases Recovery Zone Bonds
Stimulus funding is rapidly being allocated, project applications have been approved, and construction has begun.
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Brownfields Tax Credit Introduced in U.S. House
Representatives Michael Turner (R-OH) and Betty Sutton (D-OH) have introduced a bill to create a brownfields tax credit for up to 50 percent of qualified remediation expenditures.
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Maryland Implementing Disclosure Requirements for Hazardous Substances
From the Northeast-Midwest Institute: Maryland is now implementing a disclosure law passed in 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly. The new law requires that the Department of the Environment be notified of any site assessment sampling that indicates contamination above certain thresholds.
BROWN & GREEN NEWS
ASTM and EPA Moving Closer to National Green Cleanup Standards
ASTM International, together with the EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, are ramping up their efforts to develop a national standard for green remediation of contaminated sites.
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New Interior Offices to Expedite Permitting for Renewable Energy
The Interior Department will open new permitting offices in four states and place smaller permit teams in five other states to expedite renewable-energy projects on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
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