Monday, Jun 13 2011 2:40PM
Through the EPA's brownfields grants program, hazardous waste sites will be cleaned up nationwide.
Job creation is considered by many to be an essential factor to improve the economy — particularly in rural America. On June 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an initiative that will help clean up hazardous waste sites nationwide while also creating new jobs.
More than $76 million will be provided to communities throughout the U.S. to clean up and redevelop waste sites through the EPA's brownfields grants program, which is expected to improve health standards and create a substantial amount of jobs.
"Revitalizing our communities is vital to our health and the health of our local economies," said Lisa P. Jackson, EPA Administrator. "The grants we're awarding to communities across America will support projects that will help create thousands of jobs and make our communities cleaner, healthier and more prosperous places to raise a family and start a business."
Examples of hazardous waste sites which have been cleaned up with EPA funds include deserted gas stations and abandoned industrial and commercial sites.
Since the program began, more than 70,000 jobs have been created and more than $16.3 billion in funding for clean-up and development has been given out.