CENTER FOR BROWNFIELDS EXCELLENCE.

SEC. 305. CENTER FOR BROWNFIELDS EXCELLENCE. (a) In General.—To demonstrate the transfer of technology and expertise from the Federal Government to the private sector, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the reuse by the private sector of properties and assets that the Federal Government has determined, through applicable statutes and processes, that it no longer needs, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall make a grant to not less than one eligible sponsor to establish and operate a center for Brownfields Excellence. (b) Responsibilities of Center.—The responsibilities of a center established under this section shall include the transfer of technology and expertise in the redevelopment of abandoned or underutilized property that may have environmental contamination and the dissemination of information regarding successful models for such redevelopment. (c) Priority.—In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall give priority consideration to a grant application submitted by an eligible sponsor that meets the following criteria: (1) Demonstrated ability to facilitate the return of property that may have environmental contamination to productive use. 116 STAT. 2362 (2) Demonstrated ability to facilitate public-private partnerships and regional cooperation. (3) Capability to provide leadership in making both national and regional contributions to addressing the problem of under-utilized or abandoned properties. (4) Demonstrated ability to work with Federal departments and agencies to facilitate reuse by the private sector of properties and assets no longer needed by the Federal Government. (5) Demonstrated ability to foster technology transfer. (d) Eligible Sponsor Defined.—In this section, the term “eligible sponsor” means a regional nonprofit community redevelopment organization assisting an area that— (1) has lost jobs due to the closure of a private sector or Federal installation; and (2) as a result, has an underemployed workforce and underutilized or abandoned properties. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.