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Bill > HR3017
US HR3017
Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017
summary
Introduced
06/22/2017
06/22/2017
In Committee
06/28/2017
06/28/2017
Crossed Over
12/01/2017
12/01/2017
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill modifies the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to specify if a state or local government takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity, that government is not an owner or operator for the purposes of CERCLA. (Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) (Sec. 3) The bill modifies brownfield program eligibility with respect to petroleum sites where no viable responsible party exists. Specifically, it eliminates the requirement that sites be of relatively low risk. (Sec. 4) The bill revises leaseholder status regarding bona fide prospective purchasers. (Sec. 5) The bill expands CERCLA eligibility for nonprofit organizations and qualified community development entities. (Sec. 6) The brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program and the brownfield remediation grant and loan program are revised by authorizing eligible governmental entities to receive grants and loans for property that was acquired before January 11, 2002, even if the entities do not qualify as bona fide prospective purchasers. (Sec. 7) The bill increases the cap on the amount that may be given in grants and loans for each site to be remediated. (Sec. 8) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, or remediation activities at brownfield sites. (Sec. 9) The bill allows grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for administrative costs. (Sec. 10) The EPA must consider the production of renewable energy on brownfield sites as part of the grant application ranking process. (Sec. 11) The EPA is allowed to provide grants to assist small communities, Indian tribes, rural areas, or disadvantaged areas for the purpose of establishing a brownfields program. (Sec. 12) The bill reauthorizes brownfields revitalization funding through FY2022. (Sec. 13) The bill reauthorizes state response programs through FY2022.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to modify the brownfields program. Key provisions include:
- Specifying that a state or local government that takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity is not considered an owner or operator under CERCLA.
- Expanding eligibility for the brownfield program to include certain petroleum sites and nonprofit organizations.
- Clarifying the status of leaseholders with respect to the "bona fide prospective purchaser" provision.
- Increasing the cap on remediation grants and creating a new program for multipurpose brownfields grants.
- Allowing grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for administrative costs.
- Directing the EPA to consider renewable energy production on brownfield sites when evaluating grant applications.
- Establishing a new program to provide small grants to assist small communities, Indian tribes, rural areas, and disadvantaged areas in establishing brownfields programs.
- Reauthorizing brownfields revitalization and state response program funding through fiscal year 2022.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (7)
David McKinley (R)*,
Elizabeth Esty (D),
John Katko (R),
Frank Pallone (D),
John Shimkus (R),
Paul Tonko (D),
Greg Walden (R),
Last Action
Received in the Senate. (on 12/01/2017)
Official Document
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