[CPEO-BIF] VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES OVER $35 MILLION IN BROWNFIELDS GRANT

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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2000

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release Contact:
Thursday, May 18, 2000 (202) 456-7035

VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES OVER $35 MILLION IN BROWNFIELDS GRANTS TO
REVITALIZE CONTAMINATED PROPERTIES


Washington, D.C. - - Vice President Gore today awarded over $35 million in
grants to 102 communities across the country to clean up brownfields -
abandoned, lightly contaminated properties often found in economically
distressed areas - and return them to economically thriving, community hubs.

"The success of this Administration's efforts to revitalize brownfields
clearly demonstrates that economic progress and the protection of our
nation's environment work hand-in-hand," said Gore. "The grants that I am
announcing today will provide even more communities with the tools they
need to create new jobs and new opportunities, while preserving the
environment for future generations."

The Clinton-Gore Administration today awarded 56 Brownfields Assessment
Pilot Grants totaling over $12 million to help these communities evaluate
the environmental contamination of brownfield sites. With the help of these
grants, state and local officials compile information that is then used to
attract potential developers for the location. In addition, this year's
assessment grants also include provisions for the evaluation, protection
and preservation of "green space"-- parks, playgrounds, trails, gardens,
habitat restoration, and open space -- on revitalized brownfield sites.

Today's announcement also includes $20 million in Brownfields Cleanup
Revolving Loan Fund pilots for 30 grantees supporting 54 communities.
These grants allow communities to establish revolving loan funds to provide
businesses with low-interest loans to leverage funds for the cleanup and
redevelopment of brownfields. Awarded on a competitive basis, this funding
allows communities that have demonstrated a commitment to the
revitalization of brownfields through the use of a brownfields assessment
grant to build upon their past successes.

In addition, 16 communities will receive job training grants, approximating
$200,000 each, for the implementation of environmental training programs.
Totaling $2.8 million this funding provides for the creation of workforce
development programs to teach job skills in the field of environmental

cleanup to individuals living in low income areas in the vicinity of
brownfield sites. The majority of participants who successfully complete
the training program go on to pursue careers with environmental firms and
organizations. 

"The Administration's brownfields revitalization efforts are experiencing
unprecedented success," said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Carol M. Browner. "With these new grants, even more
communities will have the opportunity to experience economic growth and
prosperity in areas where they need it most, while cleaning up the
environment at the same time."

Since 1993, the Clinton-Gore Administration has taken significant steps to
clean up brownfields and return them to productive use, awarding over $157
million in grants to cities, counties, tribes, states, non-profits and
educational institutions nationwide. According to an independent study
conducted by the Council for Economic Development, the revitalization of
brownfields has created over 22,000 permanent jobs, and leveraged $2.48 in
private investment for every $1 spent by federal, state, or local
governments. 

Today's announcement marks another step in the Clinton-Gore
Administration's longstanding efforts to promote economic vitality, while
protecting our nation's environment and safeguarding public health. With
today's selection of recipients in Arkansas and Hawaii, brownfields
revitalization efforts are now active in all 50 states for the first time
ever. 

R-74 ###
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