EPA Press Office:

EPA to Provide Nearly $1 Million to Mid-Atlantic States to Protect Beachgoers from Bacteria

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide to the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia a total of $962,000 in grant funding to monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches and to notify the public if elevated levels of illness-causing bacteria make swimming unsafe. This allocation is part of the $9.7 million total in grant funding announced by the agency last week.

"The Mid-Atlantic states boast beautiful coastlines that draw countless visitors to enjoy the waters and local attractions," said EPA Region 3 Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey. "With this funding, EPA helps our regions’ beaches remain welcoming and safe and fulfills the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.”

This funding is authorized by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act and advances the goals of cooperative federalism and ensuring that every American has access to clean and safe water. Each of these goals supports EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative.

EPA anticipates that it will award grants to the following eligible recipients after all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied:
Delaware: $210,000
Maryland: $265,000
Pennsylvania: $216,000
Virginia: $271,000

Learn more about the BEACH Act grants.

Before heading to the shore, check the relevant state, Tribal or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information.

Background

To be eligible for BEACH Act grants, states, Tribes, and territories must have coastal or Great Lakes recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access used by the public. They must also have a water quality standards program and EPA-approved numeric recreational water quality standards for coastal waters. Additionally, eligible entities must meet 11 performance criteria for implementing monitoring, assessment, and notification components of the beach program. Each grantee receives an amount based on the length of the beach season, the number of miles of shoreline and the populations of coastal counties. 

 EPA Press Office:

EPA to Provide Over $477,000 to Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands to Help Protect Beachgoers from Illness (Spanish translation included)

San Juan, P.R.  (May 28, 2025) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing $9.7 million in grant funding that states, Tribes, and territories will use to monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches and to notify the public if elevated levels of illness-causing bacteria make swimming unsafe. Puerto Rico is eligible to receive $321,000 and the U.S. Virgin Islands is eligible to receive $126,000. EPA anticipates that it will award grants after all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

“Beaches are the crown jewel of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and this funding will help them ensure that the beaches are open for business and that beachgoers can swim and splash without fear of getting sick,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “These grants will help Puerto Rico and the USVI test and monitor to ensure that the public has the information it needs to enjoy a safe time on the beach.”

This funding is authorized by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act and it advances the goals of cooperative federalism and ensuring that every American has access to clean and safe water. Each of these goals supports EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative.

Learn more about the BEACH Act grants.

Before heading to the shore, check the relevant state, Tribal or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information.

Background

To be eligible for BEACH Act grants, states, Tribes, and territories must have coastal or Great Lakes recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access used by the public. They must also have a water quality standards program and EPA-approved numeric recreational water quality standards for coastal waters. Additionally, eligible entities must meet 11 performance criteria for implementing monitoring, assessment, and notification components of the beach program. Each grantee receives an amount based on the length of the beach season, the number of miles of shoreline and the populations of coastal counties.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X, Instagram, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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La EPA proporcionará más de $477,000 a Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de EE. UU. para ayudar a proteger a los bañistas de enfermedades

Contacto: Lilliana Alemán, 787-977-5816, alemanroman.lilliana@epa.gov

San Juan, P.R. (28 de mayo de 2025) - La Agencia federal de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU. (EPA) anunció hoy $9.7 millones en subvenciones de la Ley BEACH para los estados, tribus y territorios. Estos fondos sirven para costear el monitoreo de la calidad del agua y notificar al público si hay niveles elevados de bacterias que causen enfermedades y si es seguro nadar en ellas. Puerto Rico es elegible para recibir $321,000 y las Islas Vírgenes de EE.UU. son elegibles para recibir $126,000. La EPA prevé que otorgará subvenciones después de que se cumplan todos los requisitos legales y administrativos.

“Las playas son el recurso más importante de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de EE.UU., y estos fondos les ayudarán a garantizar que las playas estén abiertas para funcionar y que los bañistas puedan nadar y chapotear sin temor a enfermarse”, indicó el administrador regional de la EPA, Michael Martucci. “Estas subvenciones ayudarán a Puerto Rico y a las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos a realizar pruebas y monitorear para garantizar que el público tenga la información que necesita para disfrutar de momentos seguros en la playa”.

Este financiamiento está autorizado por la Ley de Evaluación Ambiental de Playas y Salud Costera (BEACH, por sus siglas en inglés) y promueve los objetivos del federalismo cooperativo además de garantizar que todos los estadounidenses tengan acceso a agua limpia y segura. Cada uno de estos objetivos apoya la iniciativa “Powering the Great American Comeback” de la EPA.

Conozca más detalles sobre las subvenciones de la Ley BEACH.

Antes de dirigirse a la playa, verifique el sitio pertinente estatal, tribal o territorial sobre el programa de playas para obtener información acerca de cierres o advertencias.

Trasfondo

Para ser elegible y poder recibir las subvenciones de la Ley BEACH, los estados, las tribus y los territorios deben tener aguas recreativas costeras o de los Grandes Lagos adyacentes a las playas o puntos de acceso similares utilizados por el público. También deben tener un programa de normas de calidad del agua y estándares numéricos de calidad del agua recreativa aprobados por la EPA para las aguas costeras. Además, las entidades elegibles deben cumplir con 11 criterios de desempeño para implementar los componentes de monitoreo, evaluación y notificación del programa de playas. Cada beneficiario de subvenciones recibe una cantidad basada en la duración de la temporada de playa, el número de millas de costa y las poblaciones de los condados costeros.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X, Instagram, y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

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For further information: Contact: Liliana Alemán-Román, 787-977-5816, alemanroman.lilliana@epa.gov

 EPA Press Release:

EPA Partners with City of Albany to Replace Lead Service Lines

Contact: Nikita Joshi, joshi.nikita@epa.gov, 934-210-9347 

 

Albany, N.Y. (May 22, 2025) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with the City of Albany and the New York State Department of Health to improve water quality in Albany, NY. After finding elevated levels of lead in Albany’s drinking water, EPA issued an order on consent that requires the replacement of lead service lines in the city, which serve approximately 98,000 people.  

 

“EPA’s work with the City of Albany is an important opportunity to collaborate and advance the agency’s steadfast commitment to ensuring safe drinking water,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “This is cooperative federalism in action. The success of this effort depends on EPA, the state, and local governments all working together.”  

 

After conducting regular sampling of Albany’s water treatment system, the City of Albany found lead concentrations in the drinking water at levels that prompted action from the EPA. On April 29, the EPA issued an order on consent requiring continued monitoring of Albany’s water system and the replacement of lead service lines. EPA is working with the City of Albany and the New York State Department of Health to develop a comprehensive compliance plan. Among other measures, this plan will outline steps to raise public awareness, improve the reliability of the water system, and complete 7% of the lead service line replacements annually until lead levels are reduced. 

 

EPA remains committed to helping businesses and municipalities meet environmental standards while fostering economic growth and protecting human health. Through training, technical guidance, and case-by-base problem solving, EPA works as a partner – not just a regulator – to keep communities safe and businesses thriving across New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

 

Follow EPA Region 2 on X, Instagram, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.  

 

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 EPA Press Release:

EPA Announces Over $21 Million in Brownfields Grants to Communities in Mid-Atlantic Region

Grants will help 30 recipients assess or cleanup contaminated sites across three states

PHILADELPHIA— Today, May 16, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 30 recipients in EPA Region 3 have been selected to receive over $21 million in Brownfields Grants to help communities across three states address contaminated sites, fueling economic revitalization, creating jobs, and improving public health and the environment.

“Brownfields Grants are a vital tool in our ongoing efforts to revitalize and stimulate economic growth in our local communities,” said Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, EPA Region 3. “Throughout the region we are seeing these awards unlock new potential for business development, housing, and job creation. The grants announced today represent investments in both the future of our region, and across the nation, as EPA continues its commitment to deliver clean air, land, and water to every American.”

The three states in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region selected to receive funding include:  $12.3 million across 17 communities in Pennsylvania, $2.4 million across 4 communities in Virginia, $5 million across 8 communities in West Virginia, and a $2 million grant to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) for community assessments state-wide.

Two recipients in West Virginia and Pennsylvania also received Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund Awards (RLF) which provide additional funds to existing, high-performing recipients of Brownfields RLF grants. These will keep critical momentum going in communities already benefiting from Brownfields investments, ensuring continued progress toward safe and reusable land.

Break-down of Region 3 Grants

• 7 Cleanup Grants designed to support entities in carrying out cleanup activities at contaminated brownfield sites
• 1 Community-Wide Assessment Grant for States and Tribes through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) which provides funding to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct a range of planning activities, develop site-specific cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement related to brownfield sites
• 5 Coalition Assessment Grants to a “lead” entity representing a group of communities that do not have the capacity to apply for and manage their own EPA cooperative agreement and otherwise would not have access to Brownfields Grant resources
• 17 Assessment Grants designed to fund brownfield inventories, environmental assessments, and community engagement
• 2 Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Awards designed to enhance cleanup and redevelopment efforts for existing Brownfields grant recipients. West Virginia and Pennsylvania were selected to receive $1.75 million in RLF awards.

To view the full list of selected recipients, visit the project list website.

These funds will empower local governments and non-profit organizations to address environmental challenges while revitalizing underused properties and stimulating local economies.  Federal grant recipients must meet legal and administrative requirements to receive EPA funds.

Background

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse.

Nationally, EPA’s Brownfields investments have leveraged to date more than $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 220,500 jobs.  

 

For more information about EPA’s Brownfields Program, visit EPA's Brownfield website.

Follow EPA Region 3 on Instagram, X and Facebook. For more information about EPA Region 3, visit our regional website.

 EPA Press Release:

EPA Announces $12 Million in Grants to Assess and Clean up Communities Across New York

NEW YORK (May 16, 2025) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that 10 recipients across New York have been selected to receive more than $8 Million in Brownfields Grants to assess, clean up, and revitalize local lands. These investments support locally driven redevelopment, unlocking economic opportunity, creating jobs, and improving public health outcomes in communities in New York. In addition, EPA will provide $3.75 Million in new and supplemental funding to three successful Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) programs that support Brownfields work on an ongoing basis in New York. These grants put the agency’s commitment to protect human health and the environment into action while remaining good stewards of tax dollars and advancing policies to energize the economy. 

"The brownfield grants are essential for New York, allowing us to transform neglected sites into thriving community assets that instill pride and drive economic growth,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “By investing in these revitalization efforts, we not only protect our environment but also create job opportunities and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers."

“Over $5M in Brownfield grants across NY-22 will help revitalize and improve public health in key areas in Cortland County, Syracuse, and the Mohawk Valley,” said U.S. Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22). “I’ll continue to work with the EPA to deliver targeted investments in our communities, and I look forward to seeing these projects drive meaningful and lasting change."

“I am thrilled that the EPA has selected Chautauqua County as a recipient of the Brownfield grant,” said U.S Representative Nicholas Langworthy (NY-23). “This is a fantastic opportunity for Dunkirk and Jamestown to clean up, redevelop, and revitalize local lands. This investment is crucial to unlocking economic opportunities and improving these communities.”

EPA has made these selections based on a competitive process.  Selectees in New York are:

The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation in NY has been selected to receive $500,000. The grant will be used to assess and plan for the cleanup of various polluted sites in the Villages of Massena and Malone. Key sites targeted for assessment include an old vacant building, two former creameries, and a former coal storage facility.

The City of Binghamton, NY has been selected to receive $500,000. The grant will be used to assess and prioritize polluted sites in the North Chenango River Corridor and the First Ward Neighborhood. This includes engaging with the community. Key sites targeted for assessment include a vacant former wire manufacturing site, a former gasoline station, a parcel with dilapidated multi-family homes, and an unsecured site with a former industrial building and residences.

The Cortland County Industrial Development Agency in NY has been selected to receive $500,000. The grant will be used to assess 18 sites, develop cleanup plans and engage the community in the City of Cortland and the Village of Homer. Key sites targeted for assessment include a former metal manufacturing facility, an old armory, a vacant paint company in Cortland, and a textile plant, industrial site, and two fuel stations in Homer.

The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency in NY has been selected to receive $500,000. This funding will be used to conduct assess 21 sites, develop cleanup and reuse plans and engage the community in the Cities of Dunkirk and Jamestown. Key sites targeted for assessment include a vacant waterfront block, a former auto dealer and repair shop, a large vacant manufacturing facility, and a former dry cleaner in Dunkirk, along with a former landfill and several vacant manufacturing properties in Jamestown.

Additionally, Chautauqua was selected to receive $1 million for their existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. This funding supports a successful RLF program that has already facilitated cleanup projects. Highlighted projects for this funding include the Homesteads at Dunkirk Landing, the Westfield Welch Building Redevelopment, and the Dunkirk Waterfront Block.

The City of Glens Falls, NY has been selected to receive $500,000. The grant will be used to assess 25 sites and prioritize polluted sites along the city’s East-West End Textile Trail. This includes developing three cleanup plans and supporting community engagement efforts. Key sites targeted for assessment include a vacant auto repair site, an old cement plant, and a former gas plant.

The Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board in NY has been selected to receive $1,155,000. The grant will be used to conduct 20 environmental site assessments. It will also fund the preparation and maintenance of a site inventory, as well as the development of 20 reuse plans and ten cleanup plans, alongside community engagement activities. Assessment efforts will focus on the City of Glens Falls and the Towns of Champlain, Plattsburgh, Essex, and Lake Pleasant. Key sites targeted for assessment include a former shopping center, a former county airport, a waterfront marina, and a former cement plant that has been closed since 2023.

Livingston County, NY has been selected to receive $1,000,000 to establish a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program to provide up to three loans and two subgrants for cleanup activities. It will also support the development of four cleanup plans and community engagement efforts. RLF activities will focus on the Towns of Caledonia and Livonia, as well as the Villages of Dansville and Geneseo.

The Mohawk Valley Economic Development Growth Enterprises Corporation (Mohawk Valley EDGE) in NY has been selected to receive $1,000,000 for its existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. This funding is being provided because the RLF program has performed well but has significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully facilitated loans or subgrants for four cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. One highlighted project for the use of the new funding includes the St. Luke's Hospital site.

The City of New York has been selected to receive $750,000 for its existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. This funding comes on top of the $3,700,000 previously awarded by EPA and is provided because the RLF program has performed well but has significantly depleted funds.

The RLF program has successfully facilitated loans or subgrants for 18 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Notable projects for the use of the new funding include sites at 103 West 108th Street in Manhattan, 819 Grand Street in Brooklyn, and 2828 West 28th Street on Coney Island.

The City of Rensselaer, NY has been selected to receive $300,000 to conduct eight environmental site assessments. It will also help prioritize polluted sites, develop four cleanup plans, and support reuse planning and community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the City of Rensselaer, with priority sites including two former gas stations and two adjacent parcels located on a floodplain next to an active industrial site.

Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Inc. in NY has been selected to receive $500,000 to assess nine sites, prioritize sites, develop a cleanup plan and to develop a community plan. The target area for this grant is a 1.3-mile corridor along the Hudson River Waterfront in the City of Newburgh. Priority sites include a 1.8-acre vacant grassy parcel, a 1.58-acre former commercial retail center, a 12-acre former ferry terminal, and a 1.44-acre former manufacturing facility.

The Greater Syracuse Land Bank in NY has been selected to receive $3,768,646. The grant will be used to engage with the community and clean up two contaminated sites contaminated with metals, inorganic contaminants, semi-volatile organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The Montgomery Street site is a 0.2-acre parcel with a deteriorating 5,430-square-foot building and has been used for various purposes, including as a residence, bus service facility, and auto-related services. The Seymour Street site is a 1.7-acre parcel with a vacant 39,000-square-foot former manufacturing building, a former powerhouse, and a wooden shed. It has been unused since 2021 and was previously a metal and ball bearing manufacturing site.

Brownfields grants are a powerful catalyst for local economic growth. Communities in New York have used previous EPA grants to assess, cleanup, and attract new development. Nationally, Brownfields funding delivers proven results:

• 13.9 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent
• $20.45 for each $1 of EPA Brownfields funding expended on assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund grants.
• Property values near cleaned-up sites increase by 5-15.2% with an estimated gain of $500,000 to $1.5 million in total property values
• Increase of $29-97 million in local tax revenue in just the first-year post-cleanup, per a study done in 2017.

EPA’s Brownfields Program helps transform underutilized and blighted properties into community assets – empowering neighborhoods, protecting health, and sparking lasting economic change.

Learn more about EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization grant opportunities.

Background  

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfields investments leveraged more than $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 220,500 jobs.

List of the FY 2025 Applicants Selected for Funding: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applications-selected-fy-2025-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-cleanup

For more on the Brownfields Grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.  For more on EPA’s Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields

EPA anticipates that it will make these awards once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied by selected recipients.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X, Instagram, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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For further information: Contact: Carlos Vega, (646) 988-2996, vega.carlos@epa.gov

 EPA Press Release:

EPA Announces $650,000 Grant to Assess and Clean up Communities in Camden, NJ

NEW YORK (May 16, 2025) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Camden Redevelopment Agency in New Jersey has been selected to receive $650,000 in Brownfields funding to assess, clean up, and revitalize local lands. These investments support locally driven redevelopment, unlocking economic opportunity, creating jobs, and improving public health outcomes in communities in New Jersey. These will keep critical momentum going in communities already benefiting from Brownfields investments, ensuring continued progress toward safe and reusable land.

"In Camden NJ, our commitment to brownfield redevelopment not only cleans up our environment but also revitalizes local neighborhoods, instilling pride among residents,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “By transforming these spaces, we create economic opportunities and foster community resilience."

The Camden Redevelopment Agency in New Jersey has been selected to receive $650,000 for its Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program.  This funding is provided in addition to the $5,324,999 already awarded and recognizes the RLF program's high performance despite significantly depleted funds.

Camden’s RLF program has successfully facilitated loans or subgrants for 11 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Notable projects for the use of the new funding include Elijah Perry Park, the Knox Gelatin property, Judge Johnson Park, and the former West Jersey Paper Manufacturing site.

"This funding will allow the Camden Redevelopment Agency to continue its vital efforts to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse land that has long suffered from the effects of harmful environmental contaminants,” said Senator Cory Booker. “I look forward to continuing to partner with the EPA and local organizations to ensure we continue to fund brownfield development that converts land from liabilities into productive local assets."

“Because of these funds, kids will have cleaner parks and outdoor spaces to play, and those who live in Camden will be able to have a better quality of life overall,” said Senator Andy Kim. “These hazardous chemicals have been polluting Camden County for far too long, and I’ll be tracking the progress of these clean ups to be certain these communities see their completion.”

"I voted to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to create jobs, bolster public health outcomes, and improve the quality of life for residents in South Jersey," said U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01). "Brownfield Grants have been transformational across our region and especially in Camden City. Protecting our communities from harmful waste and repurposing these sites into valuable community assets for our neighborhoods has been a top priority for me. In Congress, I will continue to fight alongside local organizations to ensure the health and safety of South Jersey families." 

Brownfields grants are a powerful catalyst for local economic growth. Communities in New Jersey have used previous EPA grants to assess, cleanup, and attract new development. Nationally, Brownfields funding delivers proven results:

13.9 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent

$20.45 for each $1 of EPA Brownfields funding expended on assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund grants.

Property values near cleaned-up sites increase by 5-15.2% with an estimated gain of $500,000 to $1.5 million in total property values

Increase of $29-97 million in local tax revenue in just the first year post-cleanup, per a study done in 2017.

EPA’s Brownfields Program helps transform underutilized and blighted properties into community assets – empowering neighborhoods, protecting health, and sparking lasting economic change.

Learn more about EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization grant opportunities.

Background  

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.6 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfields investments leveraged more than $34 billion in cleanup and redevelopment.

Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 175,500 jobs.

List of the FY 2025 Applicants Selected for Funding:

https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applications-selected-fy-2025-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-cleanup

For more on the Brownfields Grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding. For more on EPA’s Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields

EPA anticipates that it will make these awards once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied by selected recipients.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X, Instagram, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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For further information: Contact: Carlos Vega, (646) 988-2996, vega.carlos@epa.gov

 EPA Press Release:

EPA Emphasizes Transformative Nature of Cleanups and Job Training During Brownfields Week (Spanish Translation Included)

San Juan, P.R. (May 15, 2025) – This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Michael Martucci traveled to Puerto Rico to focus on the benefits to people and local economies during EPA’s Annual Caribbean Brownfields Week. EPA hosted events across Puerto Rico during the week and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The events supported the EPA’s mission of ensuring clean land, air and water to the public.

“The Brownfields program changes communities and changes lives,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “We called on local leaders, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to join us in turning contaminated and abandoned places into spaces of opportunity and growth.”

During this week, the EPA and its partners trained and advised entities interested in applying for funding under EPA’s Brownfields program. The events helped promote the funding and technical assistance available through the program to help assess and clean up contaminated sites, as well as the training available for individuals to prepare for good-paying careers in the environmental field.

Work under the Brownfields program transforms abandoned and underused properties into vibrant community assets while training residents to undertake this work. One area that requires attention are vacant housing units. Puerto Rico has more than 255,000 vacant housing units, and the U.S. Virgin Islands has over 7,000—all with untapped potential to serve their communities. EPA’s Brownfields program equips communities with tools and technical assistance to advance local redevelopment efforts.

Regional Administartor Martucci also noted that this effort aligned with EPA’s broader mission: “Revitalizing Brownfields directly supports the Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. By breathing new life into previously impacted sites, we preserve land, and secure cleaner air, land, and water for all residents.”

The week’s activities included a Workforce Development Forum and Brownfields Job-Training Application Workshop in Puerto Rico, a graduation ceremony for graduates of the Pathstone job training program, and Revitalization Resources Summits in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

To learn more about the EPA’s Brownfields Program and explore how EPA’s tools can assist in your community please visit the EPA Brownfields page.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X, Instagram, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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La EPA resalta la transformación de estructuras y revitalizacion de comunidades  a través de limpiezas y la capacitación laboral durante la Semana de Brownfields

Contacto: Brenda Reyes (reyes.brenda@epa.gov) 202-834-1290

Liliana Alemán-Román (alemanroman.lilliana@epa.gov)787-977-5816

San Juan, P.R. (15 de mayo de 2025) – Esta semana, el administrador regional de la Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental, Michael Martucci, viajó a Puerto Rico para enfocarse en los beneficios para las personas y las economía local durante la Semana Anual sobre Brownfields de la EPA en el Caribe. La EPA organizó eventos durante la semana en todo Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos. Los eventos apoyaron la misión de la EPA de garantizar tierra, aire y agua limpios para el público.

“El programa de Brownfields transforma comunidades y cambia vidas”, señaló el administrador regional de la EPA Michael Martucci. “Hicimos un llamado para que los líderes locales, municipios y organizaciones sin fines de lucro se unan a nosotros a fin de convertir los lugares contaminados y abandonados en espacios de oportunidad y crecimiento.”

Durante esta semana, la EPA y sus colaboradores capacitaron y orientaron a entidades interesadas en solicitar fondos federales disponibles bajo el programa de Brownfields de la EPA. Durante los eventos se promovieron las oportunidades de ayuda financiera y  asistencia técnica disponibles bajo elprograma Brownfields dirigidas a ayudar con la evaluación y limpieza de  sitios contaminados, así como con la capacitación para personas interesadas en carreras bien remuneradas en el campo ambiental.

El programa de Brownfields asiste en la transformacion de propiedades abandonadas y en desuso en propiedades con valor a la comunidad y a su vez tambien asiste en la capacitacion de residentes de estas comunidades para que puedan llevar a cabo estos trabajos. Un área que requiere atención son las unidades de vivienda desocupadas. Puerto Rico tiene más de 255,000 unidades de vivienda desocupadas, y las Islas Vírgenes de EE. UU. tienen más de 7,000—todos con un gran potencial para servir a sus comunidades. El programa Brownfields de la EPA provee a las comunidades herramientas y conocimiento técnico para avanzar en los esfuerzos locales de revitalizacion.

El administrador regional Martucci también señaló que este esfuerzo se alineó con la misión más amplia de la EPA: “Revitalizar Brownfields apoya directamente la iniciativa Powering the Great American Comeback. Al dar nueva vida a los sitios previamente impactados y subutilizados, preservamos la tierra y aseguramos aire, tierra y agua más limpios para todos los residentes.”

Las actividades de la semana incluyeron un Foro de Desarrollo de Fuerza Laboral y un Taller de Aplicación de Capacitación Laboral en Brownfields en Puerto Rico, una ceremonia de graduación para graduados del programa de capacitación laboral Pathstone y Cumbres de Recursos de Revitalización tanto en Puerto Rico como en las Islas Vírgenes de EE. UU..

Para obtener más información sobre el Programa Brownfields de la EPA y explorar cómo las herramientas de la EPA pueden ayudar en su comunidad visite la página de Brownfields de la EPA.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X, Instagram, y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

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For further information: Contact: Brenda Reyes (reyes.brenda@epa.gov) 202-834-1290 Liliana Alemán-Román (alemanroman.lilliana@epa.gov)787-977-5816