Revitalizing Brownfields: Federal Investment and Its Role in Promoting Environmental Justice

The study investigates the intersectionality between underutilized, contaminated land and environmental justice (EJ) focusing on funding allocations for environmental cleanup of brownfield sites by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Brownfields Program in the fiscal year 2023. The study analyzes grant applications submitted by Massachusetts municipalities and non-profit organizations to reveal EJ concerns, as perceived by brownfields practitioners. A systematic content analysis of practitioner knowledge and awareness of EJ issues was conducted and cross-referenced with disadvantaged communities as designated by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, the EPA Inflation Reduction Act, and the state-designated EJ populations. By comparing the concerns highlighted in the applications with those identified by the federal and state tools, this study showcases discrepancies between federal and state designations and perceived concerns of the communities. However, these discrepancies did not impact funding allocations, aligning with the findings of the EPA’s Brownfields Program audit conducted in September 2024. Addressing displacement concerns and lack of proactive planning to resolve EJ issues in general are some of the main topics where knowledge gaps exist. The results of the research reveal significant insights and highlight the need for additional research and technical assistance support to address the needs of vulnerable populations.