Bill > S07195

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to expand the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs. The key provisions are: 1. The bill requires the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to provide technical assistance grants to the New York City community board with jurisdiction over the site or to any tax-exempt non-profit organization at any site determined to pose a significant threat and affected by a brownfield site remedial program. The grants can be used to obtain technical assistance, interpret information about the site's hazards, and educate the affected community on the remedy selection process. 2. The bill removes the requirement for grant recipients to provide matching contributions and allows for advance installment payments of the grants. 3. The bill also modifies the "community participation plan" requirements, replacing the term "citizen" with "community" to reflect broader public involvement. The bill aims to enhance community participation and access to technical expertise in the remediation of brownfield sites, which are properties where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.