Introduction

Experts estimate that this nation has more than 450,000 brownfields – vacant or underused industrial sites with environmental contamination caused by chemical compounds and other hazardous substances.

When brownfields sit idle, everybody loses. Neighbors face environmental worries and reduced property values. Cities see roads, sewers, and other infrastructure underused. New businesses seek out “greenfields” or undeveloped land, encouraging sprawl. And, brownfield owners must deal with a long list of worries – from potential lawsuits to deriving too little income from their property.

When owners or developers clean up brownfields and put them to new uses, many people benefit. Cleanups address environmental problems, and bring new jobs and higher tax revenues to communities. Revitalized brownfields can breathe new life into neighborhoods.

This web site offers the tools necessary for you to help clean up and revitalize brownfields in your state, including talking points, a fact pack, press coverage, links, and additional background information.

We may have other useful materials on this subject, which are not posted on our web site. Please feel free to contact us at info@serconline.org or call our office in Madison, Wisconsin, at (608) 252-9800.

SERC would like to give special thanks to Environmental Law Institute’s Brownfield Center for providing information on this issue.

If you’ve used this site and found it helpful or, if you have suggestions about how it could be made more helpful, please let us know. Feel free to use the sample bill text included here in your state. If you do, please notify us.