Brownfields are real property, the expansion, development or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant

Award: Midcoast Council of Governments received $1.0 million under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818), effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. This funding, provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), capitalizes a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 104(k)(3) to support brownfield remediation in Maine.

Products and Services: The recipient will establish and manage an RLF to issue up to 16 loans and 16 subgrants for cleanup activities at 16 brownfield sites across the Midcoast region. Key deliverables include procuring qualified environmental professionals to oversee site remediation activities, creating community involvement plans and administrative records for each remediated site, hosting approximately 16 community meetings, and enrolling sites in the Maine Voluntary Cleanup Program. Additionally, the recipient will conduct marketing and public outreach to cities, towns, developers, and nonprofits; verify site and borrower eligibility; prepare cleanup completion documentation; and implement institutional controls. Progress will be documented and reported through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) using Property Profile Forms and Brownfields RLF Forms.

This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) for midcoast council of governments to capitalize a revolving loan fund as authorized by cercla 104(k)(3) in maine.activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding for the recipient to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which to make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield site and conduct other necessary activities to prudently manage the RLF. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to oversee the environmental site activities, will create a community involvement plan and administrative record for each site that is remediated, and will report on program income, interim progress, and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form and brownfields RLF form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres). Subrecipient:non-site-specific tasks include: marketing the program to cities, towns, developers, and non-profits, conducting public outreach, and preparing outreach materials relevant to the midcoast council of governments RLF program. Site-specific tasks include: verifying site and borrower/subgrant eligibility, sub-grant agreements, conducting site-specific public relations activities, and consulting with and enrolling sites in the maine voluntary cleanup program. Midcoast council of governments will oversee completion of site remediation and preparation of cleanup completion documentation, including implementation of institutional controls. Outcomes: further, the recipient will issue up TO16 loans and 16 subgrants to remediate 16 brownfield site; anticipates holding 16COMMUNITY meetings, finalizing 16 analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and submitting 16 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near maine.