MassDEP, EPA and MassDevelopment outline Brownfields funding, free technical help; North Brookfield cited as model

BOSTON (Sept. 9, 2025) — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection hosted a virtual Brownfields Roundtable to explain state and federal assessment, cleanup and financing resources for underused or potentially contaminated properties and to highlight technical assistance that is available at no cost.

MassDEP's statewide Brownfields coordinator (MassDEP Statewide Brownfields Coordinator) opened the session and defined a brownfield as “a property that's underutilized, has great has potential for reuse, and that underutilization is because the site is complicated,” noting that complications can include known contamination or data gaps that deter buyers and lenders.

The roundtable focused on why the programs matter: cleanup and assessment funding, technical assistance and tax incentives reduce uncertainty that otherwise blocks reuse, and they can unlock housing, commercial redevelopment and other economic activity.

MassDEP and legal framework

The presentation explained that cleanup in Massachusetts is governed by the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) and the Brownfields provisions in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 21E. Under Chapter 21E, an "eligible person" who did not cause the contamination can conduct response actions and pursue liability relief if the site reaches a permanent solution under the MCP.

Speakers urged anyone buying commercial property to obtain an ASTM Phase I environmental site assessment within 180 days of acquisition to satisfy the EPA's all appropriate inquiries requirements and to establish baseline conditions that protect buyers and lenders.

State and federal funding and incentives

MassDEP described two statewide funding streams it is operating: a community-wide assessment grant that the agency obtained from EPA (the…