NH Delegation Applauds $4 Million Brownfields Investment Heading to NH from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today welcomed a $4 million investment announced for New Hampshire, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, to revitalize communities by cleaning up contaminated and blighted sites and redeveloping them for productive uses. The funding was announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will support cleaning up abandoned properties in underserved communities as part of the historic national investment in Brownfields remediation.
The announcement includes:
- $500,000 to BRI Development LLC to clean up the Sinclair Lot in Bethlehem;
- $500,000 to the Nashua Regional Planning Commission to assess the Downtowns of Nashua and Milford;
- $2,000,000 to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to assess Berlin, Derry and Winchester;
- $500,000 to the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission to assess the City of Manchester and the City of Derry; and
- $500,000 to the Southwest Region Planning Commission to assess the river towns of Hinsdale, Winchester, Swanzey and Keene.
“This latest allocation of federal funds is another exciting example of the bipartisan infrastructure law at work in our communities. This robust investment will remediate contaminated sites throughout the state and revitalize them, increasing economic opportunities in New Hampshire,” said Senator Shaheen. “As a lead negotiator of the infrastructure bill, it’s wonderful to see our work come to fruition with tangible changes in our communities. Residents in Nashua, Milford, Berlin, Derry, Winchester, Hinsdale, Swanzey and Keene will soon see the impact of this law in their neighborhoods and on their way to work, which is precisely what delivering on this legislation was all about.”
“This federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law will help clean up polluted land and revitalize our communities,” said Senator Hassan. “I worked to secure this funding because I recognize the urgent need to safely clean up and revitalize properties across our state so that families and local economies can thrive. I will keeping working to address the health and safety needs in our communities.”
“This federal funding represents an important investment in our Granite State communities to clean up and rehabilitate contaminated sites to build a cleaner environment and stronger economy right here in New Hampshire,” said Rep. Kuster. “I’m pleased to see the EPA direct these substantial Brownfields Program resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to cities and towns across our state, and I will continue working to reinvest in our New Hampshire lands and environment.”
“New Hampshire’s natural environment is one of our greatest treasures and it’s vital we protect it,” said Rep. Pappas. “I fought hard to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to protect our environment, spur economic growth, and build a more sustainable future. I’m pleased to see these funds headed to our state to do just that.”
“With today’s announcement, we’re turning blight into might for communities across America,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA’s Brownfields Program breathes new life into communities by helping to turn contaminated and potentially dangerous sites into productive economic contributors. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are significantly ramping up our investments in communities, with the bulk of our funding going to places that have been overburdened and underserved for far too long.”
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden’s leadership, EPA’s Brownfields program is making a record investment of more than $51 million to revitalize communities across New England,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Today’s investment of EPA Brownfields assessment and cleanup funding will jump start economic redevelopment and job creation in many of New England’s hardest hit and underserved communities as we work to turn environmental risks into economic assets.”
“With the assessment funds awarded to NHDES, we are very excited for the opportunity to directly assist underserved communities across the state in evaluating potential health risks associated with contaminated properties and aid in redevelopment planning. We congratulate BRI Development LLC on their successful cleanup grant, a first-time applicant who has worked hard to build community engagement and a focused plan for this downtown redevelopment project in the heart of Bethlehem. We also look forward to our continued working relationships with the regional planning commissions selected for the important work they will be doing in the communities they serve,” said New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Commissioner Bob Scott.
Shaheen was a lead negotiator of the historic infrastructure bill, leading provisions on broadband and water infrastructure. Last June, Shaheen joined President Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators to announce the framework of the package. Shaheen joined members of the bipartisan group on the Senate floor to unveil bill text of the legislation last August.
Hassan, also a member of the bipartisan group negotiating the infrastructure bill, helped secure provisions for transit and passenger rail funding. She also led negotiations for key provisions that address coastal resiliency, high-speed internet expansion, and cybersecurity.
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