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| Brownfields Weekly |
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May 17, 2001 IN THIS ISSUE:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The editors of Brownfields Weekly welcome your press releases and story
ideas. If you have a story you'd like to get out to the community-at-large,
write to the editors at the address below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Lab, UK Begin Collaboration
on Nuclear Facility Cleanup Idaho Falls, ID - Officials from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) recently visited the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) to share technology and develop collaborative efforts related to remediating and decommissioning nuclear facilities. Under an agreement that runs to 2005, INEEL and UKAEA will exchange general, scientific and technical information of common interest, visit one another's sites, and conduct joint research and development studies and projects. The option also exists for exchanging staff. "The value to the United Kingdom of this new agreement cannot be underestimated or ignored," said John McKeown, Chief Executive of UKAEA. "UKAEA is committed to the safe decommissioning of all of its sites. Through collaboration we are able to ensure that we are following best practice in our decommissioning program, and delivering value for money to the British taxpayer." Through a separate "work for others" contract with a value of up to $1 million, the UKAEA also commissioned the INEEL to perform a variety of technical assistance projects. Tasks already completed or in progress include work identifying mixed waste treatment processes and facilities; reviewing UKAEA environmental technologies and vendor evaluations; preparing reports on characterizing, sorting, segmenting, and conditioning remote-handled transuranic waste; and reporting on radioactive waste management strategies. Though environmental laws in each country are different, the INEEL - whose wastes are primarily attributed to its role in handling Cold War materials - and the UKAEA have similar cleanup responsibilities. The INEEL and the Dounreay site in Northern Scotland share some of the same history, as both sites became leading nuclear reactor design, testing and research stations in the 1940s. The cleanup activities at both sites involve spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste treatment, storage, and disposal; facility decommissioning; environmental remediation, and long-term environmental stewardship. Once the center for fast reactor research, the Dounreay site is now engaged in a major decommissioning and site remediation effort that is expected to cost $12 billion over the next 50 to 60 years. Hot Remediation Technologies From
Brownfieldstech.org Sponsored by EPA's Technology Innovation Office (TIO), Brownfieldstech.org is and excellent source for information on characterization and remediation of brownfields. The site focuses on the demonstration, dissemination, and promotion of innovative brownfield characterization and remediation technologies. Its goal is to help local governments increase efficiencies and reduce costs associated with brownfield redevelopment. Brownfieldstech.org highlights hot technologies that are now proving themselves in the field. You can also find case studies that introduce you to cities which are successfully employing innovative site characterization and remediation technologies, profiles on cutting-edge researchers, and local government leaders who are employing new brownfield remediation technologies. Each month, the site showcases a new remediation technology. If you've been using a new technology at your site that you'd like to publicize, you can get the word out to the community-at-large at Brownfieldstech.org. Visit: Get Your Site Listed on Brownfields
Industry Links Page Brownfields.com has been busy adding new links to our well-visited Industry Links page. Now you can find even more brownfields policy papers, organizations and reports on our site. If you'd like to have your site or report listed on our Industry Links
page, email your link to: For our complete listing of Brownfields Industry Links and online resources,
visit: "Financing UST Cleanups" Because private UST insurance was unavailable to many UST owners and operators or very expensive for those who could qualify, petroleum marketers lobbied state legislatures to create UST trust funds. Approximately 43 states have financial assurance programs or trust funds which not only satisfy federal financial assurance funds but which are also used to provide partial or full reimbursement UST owners and operators for the corrective action costs they have incurred. Unlike the CERCLA trust fund which is often only used as a last resort, the state UST trust funds have been remarkably successful and efficient. The state UST funds have spent approximately $1.8 billion to help defray the costs of UST cleanups and are expected to disburse about $15.2 billion over the course of the UST program. In addition, many states have provided financial assistance or loans to help pay for UST upgrades. The state trust funds vary in the amount and type of coverage they provide, and in their application procedures. Most programs have deductible requirements which usually range from $10,000 to $50,000. In some cases, the funds will only make reimbursements for releases that occurred after the effective date of the program. Many states tie compliance with UST standards with reimbursement and may either reject claims of owners with USTs that are out-of-compliance or reduce the amount of the reimbursement. Sources of funding for the state cleanup funds include annual tank fees, registration fees, motor fuel taxes and the federal LUST fund. In addition to the state trust funds, there are five federal agencies that provide financial assistance to UST owners and operators. Read the complete state and agency listing in "Financing UST Cleanups".
Visit: Move over Buffalo wings! A new taste treat - hydroponic tomatoes - are growing in Buffalo thanks in part to the Brownfields Pilot program. This innovative greenhouse facility is a major part of Buffalo’s efforts in finding new uses for abandoned industrial properties. A site that once produced millions of tons of steel is now producing millions of pounds of tomatoes thanks to a public / private partnership to redevelop the south side of the city. The project included an $800,000 site cleanup. This was accomplished through a cooperative effort on the part of LTV, the former owners of the steel plant, and state and federal agencies including the EPA and NYSDEC. A specific voluntary cleanup plan for the site was worked out. Cleanup tasks were completed in about three months. Since the site is within a New York State Economic Development Zone and a Federal Enterprise Zone, tax incentives were able to be applied to help the economic viability of the project. The 17-acre facility includes a 763,000 square foot greenhouse and a 42,000 square foot packing, mechanical, and administrative building. Plans include installation of 750,000 feet of heating and irrigation piping. The climate controlled facility will grow tomatoes 11 1/2 months a year, and a new crop will be planted during the other two weeks. The facility will be operated by Village Farms of Buffalo, a subsidiary of Agro Power Development. Most importantly, the project provides jobs for 175 workers to grow the 8 million pounds of greenhouse tomatoes a year. This project will help spur the cleanup and redevelopment of hundreds of acres on the other side of South Park Avenue. The overall strategic plan deals with 1,500 acres of which 1,000 will be developed and the other 500 acres used for habitat, a golf course, and greenspace.
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