Rell Signs Brownfields Bill

In a recent ceremony in Waterbury, Governor M. Jodi Rell signed An Act Concerning Brownfields, a bill that establishes an office to help towns identify, clean up and redevelop brownfield sites.

A brownfield is an economically underutilized parcel of land that sits unused due to complications

With the law, a "one-stop shop" is established for property owners and potential property owners to facilitate compliance with state and federal clean-up requirements and qualification for state funds.

The law sets up an office within the Department of Economic and Community Development, called the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development, and creates a task force to develop long-term solutions for cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields.

"I know how important brownfield redevelopment is to this city and its future," Rell said during the ceremony, which took place at the Virjune Manufacturing brownfield site on Chapel Street in Waterbury. "There are hundreds of brownfield sites in Waterbury, and they present a critical barrier to business growth in the city. There is a lack of space available for business expansion.

"We have brownfields all over our state. It is important for future generations that we redevelop brownfields instead of developing pristine open space and farmland. Fear of environmental liabilities has deterred investors from buying and remediating available land. This new law addresses that fear."

The law provides various regulatory and financial incentives for parties that clean up, and protects these parties from liability if they acquire a contaminated site from a town or its development agency It also sets conditions under which the owners of existing manufacturing facilities qualify for clean-up dollars.

"This law gives us another tool to promote brownfield clean-up activities, and removes barriers that stand in the way of redevelopment," said Rell. "This progress is just the beginning. We will continue to do all we can to streamline the clean-up process. Cities like Bridgeport and Waterbury have made their voices heard." For more information visit www.ctbrownfields.com.