State Rep. Joe Verrengia Applauds House Passage of Brownfield Remediation Bill

State Rep. Joe Verrengia (D - 20th District) announced on Wednesday that House Bill 6526 had been passed. The "Brownfield Remediation Bill" could potentially add hundreds of jobs in Connecticut if enacted, according to a news release from the Connecticut General Assembly.

According to the release, the bill "facilitates and funds the assessment, clean up and re-use of 'brownfields' – contaminated and often long-abandoned properties that can be remediated and turned into productive sites for economic development, open space or other public uses."

A total of $25 million per year has been allocated for brownfield remediation in the 2012/2013  biennial budget approved by Democrats in the State Legislature and signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy, according to the release.

“Anytime we can redevelop a brownfield, everybody's a winner,” said Rep. Verrengia, in the release. “Cities and urban areas are winners because these projects breathe new life into them in the form of jobs and real estate development. At the same time, we are not destroying our greenfields, and that preserves the rural character and quality of life that we value so much here in Connecticut.”

In the release, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Daniel C. Esty said, “This bill demonstrates that we can pursue environmental protection and economic development together. I salute the legislative leaders for putting a package together that accomplish these goals.”

The Brownfield Remediation Bill will now be considered by the State Senate.