Nearly two out of every three counties (64 percent) have an identified brownfield property. Cook County, Ill. alone has more than 600 properties, the most of any county with a brownfield site, with the median number of sites for brownfield counties reaching five properties. These sites are concentrated in rust-belt and other former industrial- heavy regions of the country. With more than 450,000 total estimated sites, brownfields impact every county to varying degrees.

Brownfield properties can come in many shapes and sizes. Often, they are thought of as large abandoned industrial complexes, but it is more common for brownfield sites to be smaller properties like former gas stations, dry cleaners or automotive repair garages. Brownfield sites can also be agricultural, residential, railroad sites, chemical manufacturing plants or public buildings.

Download Primer

Related News

bike
Advocacy

Senate begins reauthorization process for State Revolving Fund programs and other water infrastructure programs

On July 13, leaders of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released the text of its Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026). In addition to reauthorizing major projects through the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers (Army Corps), the bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs.

Image of WRDA_thumb.png
Advocacy

U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advances 2026 Water Resources Development Act

On July 14, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee favorably reported H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) by a bipartisan 66-0 vote. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives. The WRDA 2026 markup was originally scheduled for July 1 but was rescheduled to July 14 due to changes to the House calendar.

836124870
Advocacy

FERC orders regional grid operators to reform rules for large load grid connections

FERC orders regional grid operators to reform rules for large load grid connections

1440781518
Advocacy

U.S. EPA announces nearly $250 million in FY 2026 Brownfields program grants

On June 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the distribution of nearly $250 million in funding for the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup grant program. The grants flowed to more than 190 state and local government recipients around the country to support redevelopment and renewal projects on brownfield sites. 

1812264077
Advocacy

Senate Agriculture Committee introduces 2026 Farm Bill, following House passage

On June 23, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the Senate version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026. 

GettyImages-96950167.jpg
Advocacy

The EPA announces $2.9 billion for states to support lead pipe replacement

On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) announced $2.9 billion in funding to help states support lead service line replacement. The funding will be distributed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and can be used by communities to identify lead pipes, plan removal projects, and replace lead service lines that deliver drinking water to homes.

Upcoming Events

Car connected to a Lilypad EV charger, parked in San Francisco Bay
Webinar

Deploying EV Charging Infrastructure Without an RFP – A Procurement-Safe Path for Public Agencies

California public agencies are under increasing pressure to deploy EV charging infrastructure
quickly—without compromising procurement compliance. We invite you to join a focused,
45-minute webinar hosted by Frank Huerta of LilyPad EV on either of these available dates:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
11:00 AM (PST)
2:00 PM (EST)
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
11:00 AM (PST)
2:00 PM (EST)
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
11:00 AM (PST)
2:00 PM (EST)

GettyImages-576747716_wide.jpg
Conference

2026 NACo Energy Symposium

Armstrong, Carson and Potter Counties, Texas

Join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America today. Hear from experts, exchange ideas with peers and gain practical insights into the policies, projects and partnerships driving rural energy development.