Abandoned gas stations that once flourished during our country’s economic boon are once again presenting opportunities to help refuel economic development for many struggling communities. Through the use of multi-site planning, a strong dose of community involvement, and coordinated public-private efforts, once-deserted gas stations sites are being cleaned up and put to new uses, bringing with it jobs and economic vitality. 

Approximately 50,000 – 75,000 U.S. gas stations have closed in the last two decades due in part to reduced demand, stricter environmental regulations, increased convenience store competition and shrinking profit margins.

According to the U.S. EPA, “Of the estimated 450,000 brownfield sites in the U.S., approximately one-half are thought to be impacted by petroleum, much of it from leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) at old gas stations. These sites blight the surrounding neighborhoods and threaten human health and the environment.”

Petroleum-contaminated sites, which include gas stations, auto dealerships, and some industrial sites, originally were not eligible for EPA Brownfields funding. In 2000, the EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks began the UST fields Initiative. The 50 pilot projects were funded with up to $100,000 each to assess, clean up and prepare the site for reuse. In 2002, the program received another boost with the passage of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfield Revitalization Act, which allocates 25 percent of EPA Brownfield funding each year to petroleum brownfield sites. EPA has awarded close to $23 million annually since 2003 for petroleum sites.