This program cites Rhode Island as one of the 16 Brownfield Showcase communities in the country. The program offers $150 million per year till 2006 for grants to local governments to inventory, assess and clean up contaminated brownfield sites. The act amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 which made prior owners deemed responsible for cleaning up contaminated sites. The new program will provide potential buyers of brownfield sites financial security while ensuring community public health. The program makes it possible so that new redevelopers or unsuspecting owners are not liable for the previous contamination at brownfield sites.
The goals of creating the showcase communities are to:
- promote environmental protection and restoration
- economic redevelopment
- job creation
- community revitalization
- public health protection