EPA Admin. Jackson: 4 Reasons Brownfield Cleanup is Vital
by
Abigail Lundy
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
November 17, 2009
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson spoke at this morning's plenary and shared her personal perspective on the importance of brownfield redevelopment in general, and specifically the work being done to revitalize her hometown of New Orleans. Here are her top four reasons brownfield cleanup is more important now than ever:
- Job creation. With unemployment rates the highest they've been in 26 years, the green jobs created by brownfield cleanup put skilled individuals back to work and help spur a community's economy. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government is granting millions of dollars to provide brownfield job training across the country.
- Healthy communities. Brownfield cleanup removes toxins from neighborhoods and improves the very environmental factors that contribute to preventable, but often fatal, disease. In the midst of the current health care debate, brownfield clean up is an ounce of prevention.
- Advancing the president's agenda. President Obama has called for unprecedented levels of resources to address the pressing environmental concerns of our time. He has also focused attention on improving the quality of life for the less fortunate among us. These two issues collide through the environmental justice movement, which seeks to remove the disproportionate burden borne by poorer communities; brownfields are at the center of this conversation.
- Hope. For all of the reasons outlined above, brownfield cleanup and redevelopment provides hope to communities who are currently facing tremendous challenges. The great work happening in the City of New Orleans proves that brownfield redevelopment can improve an area's quality of life both by bringing about practical improvements in a municipality and by buoying the spirits of its citizens.
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