Sherrill, Turner Introduce Legislation to Invest Federal Tax Dollars in Brownfield Remediation

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Mike Turner (OH-10) reintroduced the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act — legislation that would provide tax incentives for the clean up and repurposing of brownfield sites for commercial use and economic development.

The Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act is the next pillar in Rep. Sherrill’s Expanding Economic Opportunities in New Jersey Agenda, a legislative package she is introducing to bring back good-paying jobs to the Garden State, support businesses and the workforce, and make New Jersey a global hub of cutting-edge research and innovation.

“Remediating brownfields just makes sense: we can clean up toxic chemicals and waste from our groundwater, help mitigate flooding, and transform these currently unused spaces into economic opportunities for businesses to invest in our communities. That’s why I am reintroducing this bipartisan legislation to bring our hard-earned federal dollars back to New Jersey to help remediate and build on New Jersey’s brownfields,” said Rep. Sherrill. “A few years ago, I fought to secure federal funds to help Bloomfield successfully transform a brownfield site into a community park and flood mitigation area — this tax credit will help continue our work to drive federal dollars back into New Jersey to lower costs and expand economic opportunities in our state.”

“Brownfield redevelopment is a proven tool for revitalizing communities and driving economic growth,” said Rep. Turner. “As Mayor of Dayton, I helped turn a brownfield into Day Air Ballpark, home to the Dayton Dragons, who have inspired and entertained families every summer since 2000, while also fueling new development in the core of our city. This bipartisan effort showcases how communities can attract investment, and I thank Congresswoman Sherrill for her partnership.”

“Reinstating the Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Incentive will open up previously-used land for cleanup and reuse; invigorating local economies, creating jobs, and resulting in cleaner, safer and healthier neighborhoods for people to live and work. This legislation is a win-win-win for government, developers, and American citizens alike,” said Jean Hamerman, Executive Director, Center for Creative Land Recycling, co-convener of the National Brownfields Coalition (CCLR).

“This powerful tax deduction is a robust promotion of brownfield cleanup and development.  It’s straightforward and encourages developers to invest in more projects across the country.  We urge Congress to support this traditionally bipartisan incentive,” said Lee Ilan, National Brownfields Coalition Steering Committee Member and Chief of Planning, New York City Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation.

“Restoring this vital tax credit is long overdue. We applaud Rep. Sherrill’s continued efforts in support of brownfields redevelopment by reintroducing the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act. This tax credit is a proven tool that will reduce the costs of brownfield cleanup and redevelopment, presenting a key opportunity to turn contaminated, underutilized sites into economic engines and vibrant community assets,” said Katharine Burgess, Vice President of Land Use and Development at Smart Growth America, co-convener of the National Brownfields Coalition.

The Brownfields Tax Incentive first passed as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. It allowed taxpayers to deduct remediation expenditures for the cleanup of a property if the property was used for trade, business, or producing income. However, following a two-year extension in 2009, the incentive expired on January 1, 2012, and Congress has since failed to reauthorize this tax incentive. There are an estimated 450,000 brownfields across the country.

Rep. Sherrill previously introduced the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act in the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.

Rep. Sherrill has been a leader in addressing negative environmental impacts such as brownfields, harmful algal blooms, and superfund sites. Additionally, she has secured millions of dollars in federal Community Project and Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) funding to remediate PFAS contamination, replace lead drinking water pipes, and improve flood mitigation corridors in New Jersey’s 11th district. She helped secure federal funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act for superfund site cleanup nationwide, including in New Jersey, which has more superfund sites than any other state.