The following projects illustrate the range and uniqueness of brownfield sites and remediation techniques and show how remediation is driven by economic and development factors. Regulatory standards protective of human health and the environment must be met in any cleanup activity, including brownfields. However, different approaches are being taken to meet those standards. By understanding the array of both established and innovative cleanup technologies available, participants in the brownfield market can design the remediation scheme that best suits their project.

The Policy Side You hear it everywhere these days. “Brownfields are a mainstream business activity.” “Brownfields have become a growth market.” No one speaks of brownfields as a mere “potential” market anymore. The importance attached to brownfields redevelopment, cleanup and reuse was highlighted at a recent conference hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. “Brownfields are the number one priority of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” according to its executive vice president, R. Bruce Josten. President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce Harry Alford points out, “There are an estimated 450,000 to 600,000 brownfield sites across the U.S. If the average cost of cleanup and redevelopment of each site is calculated at the conservative figure of $1 million, brownfields will generate between $450 billion and $600 billion in new economic activity.” Alford calls for more and faster brownfield redevelopment. He urges Congress to enable states to offer tax deductions for cleanup costs in voluntary programs and allow states to use flexible ways to deal with brownfields. Alford argues that both liability under Superfund and strict cleanup standards are impeding the brownfield market. ...

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