[CPEO-BIF] NEW YORK PROGRAM TARGETS CONTAMINATED INDUSTRIAL SITES

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

http://www.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/05_15_00rebuildnow-ny.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2000

NYS GOV. PATAKI: NEW PROGRAM TARGETS CONTAMINATED INDUSTRIAL SITES

"Rebuild Now-NY" Promotes Cleaner Environment, New Business Growth

ALBANY (NY)-- Governor George E. Pataki today announced the establishment
of "Rebuild Now-NY," a pilot program promoting the cleanup and reuse of
"brownfields" potentially prime locations for economic redevelopment except
for the possibility of environmental contamination. The project initially
will identify and develop remediation plans for up to five sites that can
be added to the inventory of New York's shovel- ready properties for
business attraction and development. 

"Rebuild Now-NY carefully matches the needs of a cleaner environment with
opportunities for creating jobs and new business growth," Governor Pataki
said. "We expect statewide interest in this pilot program from rural areas,
from small communities, and from the riverfront cities that spearheaded
America's industrial revolution." 

The project will be administered by Empire State Development (ESD), New
York State's economic development organization, in conjunction with the
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Governor's
Office of Regulatory Reform. An informational meeting for local economic
developers was held in Albany May 15, 2000. 

"Rebuild Now-NY will enable us to transform blighted industrial properties
from environmental liabilities into economic assets," said ESD Chairman
Charles A. Gargano. "We will create jobs for New Yorkers by clearing away
obstacles that prevent businesses from cleaning land that is presently
unoccupied or under-utilized." 

Environmental concerns on proposed sites can range from manufacturing
wastes to petroleum contamination. Locations eligible for consideration
under the program will be required to have at least 25 acres of land, or 15
acres in certain densely populated areas, with access to transportation,
skilled labor and municipal water and sewer systems. Locations should also
be suitable for redevelopment as business/commerce parks or
industrial/distribution facilities. 

Communities or industrial development agencies may submit sites for
consideration if the property is either owned by the applicant or by a
cooperative landowner. 

"Under Governor Pataki's leadership, this new program will provide
another way to ensure that contaminated properties are investigated,
cleaned up and redeveloped," DEC Commissioner John P. Cahill, said.
"Cleaning up brownfields helps preserve pristine greenfields and helps
reinvigorate local economies by getting these properties back on the tax
rolls." 

Under the Environmental Conservation Law, liability for environmental
contamination and responsibility for environmental cleanup extend to all
owners of the site, past and present. As a result, prospective developers
avoid sites with environmental uncertainties, even if those sites are
otherwise optimal for reuse. DEC must certify that a property is
appropriate for industrial uses before a new project can be constructed. 

"This pilot program hopes to put properties back into productive use and
creates jobs and opportunities for New Yorkers while maintaining Governor
Pataki's high environmental standards," said David S. Bradley, Acting
Director of the Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform. 

Rebuild Now-NY is modeled after ESD's successful Build Now-NY initiative,
which is developing an inventory of commercial and industrial sites
pre-approved to avoid permitting obstacles and to expedite construction
time-frames for companies locating or expanding in New York State. The
first Rebuild Now-NY sites will serve as a pilot for an expanded program,
ultimately adding revitalized sites
to the Build Now-NY inventory. 

Funding for the pilot program is provided by ESD's Economic Development
Fund and monies awarded to DEC from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. Once sites are selected, a DEC-approved voluntary cleanup plan will
be developed. Communities that elect to clean up a certified site can apply
for funds from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, a $1.75 billion act
proposed by Governor Pataki and approved by voters in November 1996. 

The firm of O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. of Syracuse, working with Bond
Schoenek and King and National RE/sources, LLC, a site selection and
development firm specializing in distressed properties, has been retained
by the State to manage the process of site evaluation and selection. The
application deadline is June 13, 2000. To receive an application contact GORR,

PO Box 7027, Albany, NY 12225,or visit the web site at
http://www.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/ReBuildNow-NY.html. 

The new program complements a Brownfield Clean-up Tax Credit announced by
Governor Pataki in his State of the State address January 4, 2000. This new
tax credit would encourage the voluntary clean-up of brownfields across the
State by providing individuals and businesses a tax credit equal to the
amount spent to clean-up the contaminated site. 
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