On the recordJune 25, 2015
I appreciate the House's consideration. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to restore brownfields funding to fiscal year 2015 levels and to make the point that when we help redevelop contaminated properties, we generate a large return on investments that lift our communities back home. My amendment increases EPA's Environmental Programs and Management account by a modest $1.9 million to be offset by the same amount from the Office of the Secretary. Even with this modest boost, the proposed bill on the floor, unfortunately, would remain $4 million below the budget request. Mr. Chairman, when a contaminated property achieves a brownfields designation and a grant, local communities and businesses can clean up the property and put the property back into use. This type of economic redevelopment is key to our neighborhoods and communities, rural or urban. It increases property values and creates jobs with just a little bit of seed money from the EPA through brownfields. A 2014 study concluded that cleaning up brownfields leads to nearby residential property value increases of 4.9 to 11 percent. Another 2007 study found that an average of 10 jobs are created for every acre of brownfields redevelopment. And based on historical data, we know that $1 of the EPA's brownfields funding leverages between $17 and $18 in other public and private financing. Mr. Chairman, I have witnessed great success in brownfields redevelopment back home in the Tampa Bay area.…
