With the first session of the 111th Congress just about over—a session that grappled with significant issues unrelated to brownfields—members now prepare to head home for the holidays. But the first session set the tone for policy and spending decisions for 2010 that could significantly impact a range of brownfield efforts.

Brownfield program reauthorization By early October, members and committees in both House and Senate were beginning to focus on key brownfield proposals, preparing them for possible introduction early in 2010. Considerable spadework has been done, by the national brownfields coalition and other groups, to vet issues and lay the good foundation to advance a legislative proposal next year. While the Hill is more interested in only modest modifications to the existing EPA brownfields program, there seems to be sentiment for: Permitting larger grant amounts for cleanup (up to $1 million); Making non-profits eligible for all types of grants, including assessment; and Increasing the overall funding authorization level for the brownfields program. Proposed changes for which more effort will be needed to encourage their inclusion, or are outright show-stoppers, include: Authorizing multi-purpose grants (for comprehensive assessment, cleanup, demolition and removal projects); Clarification of eligibility for publicly-owned sites acquired before 2002; Eliminating the petroleum set-aside; Allowing administrative costs to be claimed as part of the grants; Expanding sites eligible under the “enforcement bar.” ...

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