HB 6526 - Brownfield Remediation and Development

• Establishes an Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development within the Department of Economic and Community Development to promote brownfield redevelopment through streamlined procedures, funding identification, and coordination with state and local agencies.

• Creates a municipal brownfield grant program to identify remediation economic opportunities in at least six Connecticut municipalities annually, with Commissioner selection based on population categories and economic development potential.

• Establishes a brownfield remediation and revitalization program accepting up to 32 properties per year, providing liability protection to bona fide prospective purchasers, innocent landowners, and contiguous property owners who remediate contaminated properties according to approved investigation and remediation schedules.

• Grants fee reductions and waivers for eligible parties meeting investigation and remediation milestones, with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection issuing audit decisions within 180 days of remedial action report submission.

• Provides municipalities acquiring easements for public recreational use liability protection for pre-existing pollution on the easement property, provided the municipality did not cause or contribute to contamination.