Lautenberg, Menendez Announce $1.2 Million to Clean Up Sites in
Newark, Jersey City and Camden
Funding Part of EPA Brownfields Program

WASHINGTON , D.C. – U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award three New Jersey cities with a total of $1.2 million to clean up and re-develop several Brownfield sites.

“The Brownfields program is essential in the effort to clean up contaminated sites,” said Sen. Lautenberg.  “This funding will not only help Newark , Jersey City and Camden revitalize these sites for the benefit of our residents and communities, it will also create much needed jobs and stimulate the economy.”

“This funding will go a long way to returning these brownfields to productive uses, while also protecting our environment and improving overall quality of life in these communities,” said Sen. Menendez.  “I am happy to see that we are working to restore brownfields sites in New Jersey and hope that we can continue to invest in projects that benefit our state both environmentally and economically.”

The EPA Brownfields program, which Sen. Lautenberg has helped strengthen as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, helps communities clean up, redevelop or reuse facilities that range from major industrial sites to small facilities or old gas stations.  This year, the EPA awarded 194 assessment grants totaling $38.7 million as well as 108 cleanup grants totaling $19.6 million through the program.

EPA Brownfields grants have been awarded to the following New Jersey cities:

* Newark – two grants totaling $400,000 to assess local Brownfield sites impacted by hazardous substances and petroleum contamination;

* Jersey City – one $200,000 grant to assess sites potentially contaminated with hazardous substances and another $200,000 grant to assess abandoned gas stations; and

* Camden – two grants totaling $400,000 for petroleum cleanup at the former Tire and Battery Site located at 1350 Admiral Wilson Boulevard .

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