Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that three organizations in Maine have received a total of $1,480,850 to conduct brownfields assessments, develop cleanup plans, and support community outreach.  This funding was awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will help cleanup sites in various regions in Maine.

“We welcome this funding from the EPA’s Brownfields Program, which will help identify potential hazards and encourage community development in the State of Maine,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “In addition to cleaning up hazardous substances and improving our environment, this investment will help communities create new development opportunities to attract businesses that create good jobs for Mainers.”

The funding will be allocated as follows:

·       Greater Portland Council of Governments will receive $500,000;

·       Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission will receive $500,000; and

·       Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments will receive $480,850.

A brownfield site is a property that contains a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant that can hinder the potential to reuse or redevelop the site.  The EPA's Brownfields Program assists states and local communities as they assess, safely clean up, and reuse brownfield sites for economic development projects.