2406 Availability of grant application to EPA for the establishment of a DEP/PENNVEST brownfield revolving loan fund

Availability of Grant Application to EPA for the Establishment of a DEP/PENNVEST Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund

[35 Pa.B. 7057]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), is applying for a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the establishment and administration of a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund. The grant award is authorized under The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (act) (Pub. L. No. 107-118).

   The act specifies, among other provisions, that grant awards can be used by recipients to capitalize a revolving loan fund for brownfield remediation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 9601--9675). CERCLA defines a brownfield site as ''real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant,'' as defined in CERCLA. CERCLA further defines the term ''brownfield site'' to include a site that ''is contaminated by a controlled substance . . . ; is contaminated by petroleum or a petroleum product excluded from the definition of 'hazardous substance' . . . ; is mine-scarred land.'' If awarded the grant from EPA, the Department will establish a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-interest loans for the remediation of brownfield sites in this Commonwealth.

   States applying for this grant must provide public notice concerning the preparation and submission of their grant application to the EPA. Under this requirement, the Department's application for grant funding under CERCLA is available for public review and comment. The Department is specifically seeking comments on its grant application and its intended use of Federal funding to establish a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund in this Commonwealth. The Department's grant application is available upon request by contacting Tom Mellott at [phone] or [e-mail].

   Interested persons may submit written comments on the Department's grant application by January 31, 2006. The Department will respond in writing to all public comments received by this deadline. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. The Department will accept comments submitted by e-mail. A return name and address must be included in each e-mail transmission. Written comments should be submitted to Tom Mellott, Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Community Revitalization and Local Government Support, Land Recycling Program, 16th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063 or [e-mail]. Questions concerning this notice should be directed to Tom Mellott at [phone] or [e-mail].

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-2406. Filed for public inspection December 30, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]