Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund
Brownfields RLF provide low interest loans to local governments, non-profits, tribes, ports, and private businesses undertaking clean-up of contaminated properties. The loans provided through the Brownfields RLF Program fund the remediation required for cleanup on sites to support redevelopment.
Available Funding
The Washington State Department of Commerce has been capitalized by a U.S. EPA Brownfields RLF Grant funding. As required by the grant cooperative agreement the grant is allocated for cleanup of petroleum substances and hazardous substances.
What is a Brownfield?
A brownfield is defined by the EPA as a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The Brownfields RLF further defines a brownfield by including the following:
- Real properties that may be abandoned, inactive, or not operated at their appropriate use,
- The presence of petroleum or a petroleum product, and
- The presence or potential presence of a release of the aforementioned substances pose a risk to human health and the environment.
Goals of the Brownfield RLF program
Many sites in state have actual or perceived environmental contamination and are often abandoned or underutilized. The presence of contamination along with the risks and cost associated with addressing contamination can be a significant barrier to redevelopment. The goals of the Brownfields RLF Program include the following:
- Cleanup and redevelopment of sites
- Safety and Health
- Improved environmental quality
- Creation of new jobs at and around the sites
Brownfields Conferences
Washington State Brownfields Conference
Cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields is key to local economic development efforts, turning perceived problems into community assets, such as affordable housing. The goal of this conference is to bring together public and private sector stakeholders in Washington and the Inland Northwest to share information on brownfields redevelopment successes and future opportunities.
Conference date to be announced soon.
National Brownfields Training Conference 2022
The National Brownfields Training Conference is the largest event in the nation focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. Held every two years. Registration is now live.
August 16th – 19th, 2022
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Brownfields2022.org
Success Stories
The Department of Commerce’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) helps local and regional governments, non-profit agencies and private businesses cleanup and redevelop Brownfields sites.
Read more Brownfields success stories and learn about recent projects.
Historic Investment in Brownfields
2022 is the year to take your community to the next level with unprecedented financial and technical resources. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment in EPA’s Brownfields program over the next two years. Visit the EPA website to learn more about the historic investments being made in brownfields.
Brownfields Links
Washington State Partners
Washington’s Department of Ecology
The Department of Ecology provides the services of its qualified environmental professions through its Ecology Voluntary Cleanup Program.
Contact
Kari Sample, Program Manager
Email: Kari.Sample@Commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-999-0606