New Approaches on Energy and the Environment

CHAPTER

15

A Broader View of Brownfield Revitalization

by Kris Wernstedt

Sir, a policy change is needed to refocus federal resources to larger-scale, areawide revitalization of brownfield sites—underused properties whose redevelopment is complicated by the fact or perception that contamination is present. The cleanup and redevelopment of such land can both revitalize neighborhoods burdened with a legacy of contamination and enhance tax revenues. However, most cleanup and redevelopment to date has rested on a narrow, property-byproperty approach. Your initiative should include a limited-term amnesty period to encourage the volunteering of contaminated properties for a large-scale revitalization effort, strong public participation and reporting ...