The Effectiveness of State Policy on Brownfields Redevelopment

Brownfields are abandoned or underutilized properties ? typically former industrial or commercial sites ? that are possibly contaminated. They currently pose an economic burden; however, they offer an opportunity for cities and states to grow their housing stock, retail space and expand public amenities. The federal Brownfields Program initiated cleanup efforts in 1995 by funding local government pilot projects. The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act in 2002 enacted into law various policies developed under this program. In the last fifteen years, mostly as a result of EPA funding, the states? role in brownfields cleanup has expanded. This study measures the impact of four types of state policy on the number of brownfields redeveloped: liability relief, tax credits, direct financial assistance, and technical assistance. Data on the number of brownfields sites come from the US Conference of Mayors. State policy data were compiled using EPA sources and state agency websites and staff.