Brownfields Restoration and Community Revitalization with Expert Guidance

The grants are typically announced in May of the following year. We expect the announcement for applications submitted in November 2024 to be made in May 2025, with awards issued on October 1, 2025.

Leverage brownfield grant and loan funding to address environmental remediation needs and provide financial incentives such as tax credits and streamlined permitting for development on brownfields. Additionally, protections should be in place to prevent development on sites with historical, cultural, or critical natural/agricultural significance. 

AI, big data, and digital tools play a growing role in redevelopment. Our technology stack enables real-time data acquisition, integration, secure storage, visualization, and analytics to support decision-making. We are exploring AI applications in predictive modeling, automated document management, and process optimization to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows.

Community engagement should be integrated into brownfield assessment, planning, and cleanup. A Community Engagement Plan (CEP) can help map out an effective strategy. Utilizing existing community resources, such as popular events or social media channels, can enhance outreach. Engagement activities may include online surveys, stakeholder working groups, community workshops, expert interviews, and pop-up engagement events.

While environmental justice may not be explicitly prioritized in upcoming grant guidelines, there will likely be continued focus on historically disadvantaged communities, which are disproportionately impacted by brownfields, cumulative environmental issues, and socioeconomic challenges.

To start, we would need basic details about your project’s goals. From there, we would evaluate available funding and technical strategies to develop a tailored approach.

We provide support throughout the full project life cycle, from conceptual planning to post-construction regulatory compliance.

The transition of the former Philadelphia refinery site highlights the potential for reimagining industrial spaces. Brownfield redevelopment in such cases can improve air quality, create jobs, and drive economic development. While we recognize the scale and complexity of this project, we do not have direct involvement at this time.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $3.5 billion in additional Superfund funding, with annual appropriations continuing. Restoration timelines vary, often spanning decades due to long-term operations and maintenance requirements. Montrose specializes in reuse planning, environmental site assessments, and remediation.

Preparing brownfields for solar projects is often simpler than other reuses due to reduced environmental constraints. However, securing financing, forming partnerships, and obtaining permits involve multiple decision-makers across various stakeholder groups.

While we have not directly worked on coal-to-nuclear transitions, we have extensive experience in securing funding and executing decommissioning and remediation for coal-powered plants and related facilities.

In older urban areas or sites with significant historical commercial/industrial use, there is a greater than 50% chance that a Phase II ESA will be required. Urban sites often face issues like groundwater contamination, unknown fill materials, or atmospheric deposition of pollutants. Rural sites may also be impacted by agricultural chemicals.

Owners may perceive Phase I ESAs as a risk rather than a benefit. However, incentives such as liability protection, access to additional funding, or potential for profitable land use can shift their perspective. Prioritizing sites with feasible redevelopment opportunities also helps.

The U.S. EPA Brownfields Program does not “certify” sites, but it does have an approval process for assessing and remediating eligible locations. Factors such as prior due diligence (All Appropriate Inquiry) and enrollment in other regulatory programs can influence site eligibility.

State Brownfield Programs will likely continue receiving elevated funding through FY 2026 due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Beyond 2026, funding is expected to return to pre-BIL levels, with potential incremental increases outlined in the proposed Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025.

While our panel did not include representatives from Canada, Montrose has a strong presence in British Columbia and throughout Canada. We will consider including Canadian experts in future webinars. 

Brownfields are well-suited for data centers due to existing infrastructure and available utilities. Even sites with contamination concerns can be redeveloped with proper engineering controls, such as vapor barriers. 

A brownfield is considered restored when site conditions are protective of human health and the environment. Cleanup standards are set by regulatory agencies based on risk assessments and intended land use.

If a site was remediated to an industrial standard but the community wants residential use, additional remediation may be necessary. Having a clear reuse plan from the outset helps ensure remediation efforts align with community goals.

Funding has remained relatively consistent since the 1990s, with significant increases under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (2009) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2022-2026). After 2026, funding is expected to return to pre-BIL levels, with some incremental increases.

Yes, mine-scarred lands are considered brownfields, and repurposing them for renewable energy projects is a logical and often feasible solution. However, funding eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grants can be awarded for single or multiple sites. Applications must be submitted by the site owner, which can include local/state/tribal governments, quasi-governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations.