Is the government's focus on brownfield development a distraction from other toxic sites that are more dangerous, but have less commercial appeal?
The cleanup of brownfields such as the factory in Attleboro has become one of the federal government's most popular environmental programs.
But as legislators have poured more than $400 million into a program that helps them deliver visible improvements to districts, some environmentalists have voiced concern that it's coming at a price: While spending on brownfields grows, the government falls further behind in cleaning up sites that carry far more health risks but fewer commercial prospects.
...According to the report, contamination at hundreds of Superfund sites nationwide, including 15 industrial zones and landfills in New England, has not been brought under control.
In contrast, the federal brownfields program, which began as an offshoot of Superfund in 1993 for less polluted sites, has been growing steadily. In 2002, President Bush signed the first law reserving funds specifically for brownfields, which injected hundreds of millions of dollars into the program.
Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth
FULL STORY: As 'brownfields' clean up, ecologists worry
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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