James M. Jeffords: “the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004, S. 1134, contains important provisions relating to…”

“the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004, S. 1134, contains important provisions relating to the redevelopment of brownfields. S. 1134 encourages EDA to promote the redevelopment of abandoned industrial facilities and brownfields. The economic and social benefits of brownfields redevelopment are well documented. For example, in June 2003, the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimated that brownfields redevelopment could generate more than 575,000 additional jobs and up to $1.9 billion annually in new tax revenues for cities. In addition, according to EPA, every acre of reused brownfields preserves an estimated 4.5 acres of unused open space. Estimates of the number of brownfields sites nationwide range from 450,000 to as many as a million. This bill complements the 2002 Environmental Protection Agency brownfields cleanup law by encouraging EDA to make economic redevelopment of brownfields a priority.”