Low Interest Loans Available from OER for Brownfields Cleanup
The Office of Environmental Remediation is offering low-interest loans to eligible local governments, nonprofits, and private sector businesses to clean up properties
contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances. The loan fund was capitalized by an $820,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2016, and an
additional RLF Supplemental Grant was awarded in 2023 in the amount of $1,000,000.
The Brownfields Revolving Fund is designed to fill redevelopment funding gaps and provide incentives to clean up brownfield sites with favorable borrowing and repayment terms.
Repayment terms of up to 10 years can be negotiated. Borrowers must enroll the site in the WV Voluntary Remediation Program to complete the cleanup work, unless the remediation
is limited to asbestos or lead-based paint abatement.
Funds under the loan program can be used to perform a broad range of cleanup activities that include excavating and removing contaminants, treating contaminated soil and
groundwater, demolishing contaminated structures, managing storm water run-off, and installing security measures to prevent trespassing. Funds can also be used to pay
environmental consultants who oversee and certify the cleanup, and fees for WVDEP review and approval of the work. Funds cannot be used to perform environmental site
assessments, such as Phase I or Phase II ESAs, prior to cleanup.
Interested parties should visit the
Brownfields Revolving Fund webpage
to download information or contact OER through email at
DEPBrownfieldsRevolvingFund@wv.gov.
Eligible borrowers will need to complete a loan application to demonstrate their ability to repay the loan and to provide the necessary collateral.