Click to explore books for the new year, then join us as we reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Photo by David Zawiła on Unsplash

Updates from Washington Brownfields

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Jump to training events happening this week.

One of our favorite things in 2024?
Connecting with you.

Walking tours organized by community leaders in Richland, North Bend, and Port Orchard were big hits at the Washington Brownfield Workshops in September.

We're grateful we can connect with people through Zoom and Teams, but we don't take in-person meetings for granted. Thanks to many of you for connecting with us at events like those below, just some of the places you may have seen us in 2024.  

Success stories came to life in Richland, North Bend, and Bremerton during 1-day workshops in September 2024. Together with our community hosts, Ecology site managers, and partners at EPA, Dept. of Commerce, and the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), we proved that YES, brownfield redevelopments are within your reach! Revisit our November article, download session materials, and tour real-life successes in this fun photo essay by CCLR's Antonia Bassett.

Hundreds of people explored resources at the 3-day 2024 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) conference in October. We spoke with folks who are hoping to snag Infrastructure Law funding before it disappears, and others who are wondering what to do about potentially contaminated properties in their neighborhoods. Conversations were facilitated by one Oscar the Grouch exhibit table, two presentations, seven team members, and countless hallway discussions... when we weren't learning alongside you in sessions, that is. Find the IACC links in our December article.

NW Remediation Conference was one of several events hosted by the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) in 2024. The May event in Tacoma gave us opportunities to connect with consultants, brownfield partners, and even students from Western Washington University's Science and Management of Contaminated Sites (SMoCS) class. The event was packed with sessions and success stories that included Estelita's Library in Seattle, Millcreek Common in Utah, Lignin Operable Unit Affordable housing project in Bellingham, and Best practices for securing/leveraging funding for brownfields environmental and climate justice (ECJ) success. Check out Track C in the agenda for more.

Speaking of exciting events, watch for NEBC's Washington Brownfields Conference in Yakima in May 2025!

10 game-changing stories from 2024

It can be hard to catch all the extraordinary work happening across our state every day. Here are some inspiring stories from Ecology you might have missed, each one producing real results for local communities and illustrating what we can do when we work together. Want more good stuff? Subscribe to Ecology's blog.

1. Rod Hankinson: Washington’s environmental hero & youth mentor for over 30 years.
2. New environmental education program builds connections for refugees & immigrants in Spokane 
3. Restoration in action: more trees on the way for Flaming Geyser State Park 
4. Building homes on former orchard lands  
5. Projects for communities, by communities: launching the air quality community grant program 
6. New sewer lines, stormwater maps, and septic solutions are adding up to cleaner water 
7. Environmental justice with boots on the ground 
8. Public Participant Grants help educate neighbors about local environmental projects
9. Let’s talk about the National Park Service’s job at Hanford 
10. FundHub.wa.gov is your gateway to grants and incentives
11. Bonus!  Short video about Ecology's work! 

Memorable quote from 2024

"When you don't have a pillow, blanket, and roof, all other problems become exacerbated... The more we talk about and identify [problems like this], the more we create a cauldron of creative ideas for how we get from here to there."  -- IACC 2024 keynote speaker Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, reflecting on the lack of affordable housing as one of the most serious threats facing Washington.

Looking ahead: Funding opportunities for 2025

Ecology's Public Participation Grants: Apply by February 4

Individuals and nonprofit organizations in Washington can apply for up to $120,000 in grant funding from Ecology over two years. Eligible project types are those that engage the public in contaminated site cleanups, and those that improve waste management practices. 

Applications due by 5 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday, Feb. 4 in Ecology's Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL). Read the Nov. 2024 blog. Learn more.

Have a local and sustainable project in mind? Apply for this grant by February 28

Partners for Places in the Funder's Network has up to $150,000 that can be used for projects like building community gardens for low-income communities, promoting electric vehicles, and enhancing affordable housing to withstand climate-related disasters.

Check out some of the amazing past projects that include the Stickleback Farm and Native Heritage Garden in Anchorage, Alaska; Community Climate Action Planning in Bend, Oregon; and developing a vision for Mountain to Sound in Tacoma, Washington.  

• Register for information session | 12-1 p.m. Pacific, Wednesday, Jan. 22
• Submit proposals by Friday, Feb. 28.
• Learn more.

Funding to develop Environmental Justice plans: Apply by
February 28

If your community has been negatively impacted by environmental changes such as drought, flooding, fires, or events that impact access to safe housing, consider applying for EPA funding via Philanthropy Northwest, a Thriving Communities Grantmaker.  Rural and urban organizations in EPA Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 271 Tribal Nations) can use the funding for projects such as small local cleanups; emergency preparedness and disaster relief; green jobs and youth programs; air and water quality projects; and healthy homes.  

Three funding types are available:

• Type 1: Assessment projects focused on gathering information and understanding the problem.
• Type 2: Planning projects focused on formulating a community-wide plan.
• Type 3: Development projects for communities ready to develop technical aspects of their plan. 

How to apply:

• Read the step-by-step guide for applying.
• Download request for applications. Translations available.
• Subscribe to their newsletter for updates.
• Apply by Friday, Feb. 28 through Philanthropy Northwest's portal.  

Two resources can help with applications: 

• Northwest Environmental Justice Center (NEJC) 
• University of Washington Center for Environmental Health Equity (UW CEHE) 

Energy communities can apply for technical assistance: Send letter of interest by February 28

Three energy communities in the nation will be selected to participate in EPA's Energy Communities Technical Assistance program in 2025. Assistance is available for projects such as planning for growth and economic diversification where coal mines and power plants have closed, and connecting communities and businesses with workforce development, training, and apprenticeships. Submit letter of interest by 11:59 p.m. Pacific, Friday, Feb. 28.

Underground storage tank funds available: Apply by March 3

Washington entities can get up to $150,000 from the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) to clean up or upgrade underground storage tanks (UST). Anyone may apply as long as the UST facility isn't under an order or consent decree with Ecology, or currently enrolled in Ecology’s Voluntary Cleanup Program. You'll need to set up a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account if you don't have one. Submit applications by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 3 through PLIA's Online Community portal.   

$1 billion available for clean energy projects from Dept. of Energy: Due dates are rolling  

States and local governments that have authority to adopt building energy codes can apply for funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Jurisdictions will have the freedom to take innovative approaches for their new and renovated buildings by adopting the latest model energy codes, zero energy codes, or other standards that have equivalent energy savings. Submission deadline is rolling. Learn more.

Development finance webinar series starts January 21

Council of Development Finance Agencies (https://www.cdfa.net/) and BNY are hosting 12 free webinars focused on building your development finance portfolio. The series runs through December. Learn more. If these links cause a problem, copy this into your browser:
https://www.cdfa.net/e/bny?open&section=agenda#agenda2025-01-21

• January | Bond Market 2025 forecast | Tuesday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Pacific | Panelists will identify trends shaping national bond markets and explore the economic opportunities for local projects.
• February | Bonds for disaster recovery and economic renewal | Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Pacific | Panelists will share stories on how they used disaster recovery bonds to finance recovery efforts, restore infrastructure, and stimulate economic growth in affected areas.

Webinar series boosts equitable engagement: January 22 and
February 5

A two-part webinar series from the River Network in Boulder, Colorado provides insights and tools for building relationships and boosting engagement with your community. Part 1 discusses practical tools and strategies. Part 2 puts theory into practice with a real-world case study that helps you build impactful narratives and amplify community's voices.

• Register for Part 1: Working at the speed of trust for equitable engagement | Wednesday Jan. 22 | 9 a.m. Pacific
• Register for Part 2: Equitable engagement in practice | Wednesday Feb. 5 | 9 a.m. Pacific

CCLR webinar series helps build a better program

Register for a three-part webinar series from the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) and EPA's Region 9 that focuses on brownfield essentials and how-to's.  

• Introduction to brownfields: Starting, structuring, and navigating land reuse in your community | Wednesday Jan. 29 | 11 a.m. Pacific
• Empowering community voices: Effective outreach, engagement, and visioning for brownfield projects | Wednesday March 26 | 11 a.m. Pacific
• Funding brownfield revitalization: Identifying sources, crafting proposals, and building partnerships| Wednesday May 28 | 11 a.m. Pacific

Voices from the community

"I want them to see what they can experience if they set themselves up the right way..."

Read how one woman in Pierce County is helping young people change their relationship with money, thanks to her own experience with homelessness and the Dept. of Commerce's Community Reinvestment Project. Four years ago, Noemi Cagatin-Porter founded a nonprofit housing program that is now serving 130 low-income individuals and families in nearly 30 transitional facilities and permanent homes across Pierce County. 

Radon poster contest for students now open!

This poster contest sponsored by the Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare always catches our eye because it creatively draws attention to the very real, harmful effects of elevated radon levels in homes. Share the contest rules with students ages 9 to 14, then check out the 2024 winning posters.   

• Deadline for submission: Friday, February 28 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific
• Eligible students: 9–14 years of age living in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Next stop: Inspiration Station

If you're wondering what your community could do with a brownfield, read this blog post by EPA's Elina Bravve and her mention of a pilot project in Spokane, Washington. The City of Spokane, the Carl Maxey Center, and community stakeholders worked with the EPA to explore urban design and housing development options for a three-acre site along I-90.  

Contact us if you have a brownfield project!

In case you missed it: December newsletter (Dec. 26, 2024)

Brownfields in Washington

Our Brownfields Program helps communities put those properties back into use so they can bring their redevelopment visions to life.

Why redevelop brownfields?

Redeveloping brownfields improves
public health by cleaning up contamination, turns former blight into new opportunity, saves undisturbed land from development, and more.