As this newsletter went to print, H.R. 2869, the Small Business Liability
Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, stalled just as it was nearing
passage by the U.S. Congress.
The bill originally was scheduled for markup on September 11, when the tragic
events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania unfolded. A further hitch
developed on September 24, when Democrats threatened to withhold support for the
bill unless the "prevailing wage" provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act
were required to apply in all states (19 states currently do not have prevailing
wage statutes).
EPA has estimated that there are 500,000 brownfields sites nationwide.
Brownfields sites are those where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances,
pollutants or contaminants.
