ANDERSON, SC - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $200,000 grant to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for the assessment of petroleum contamination at properties in the City of Anderson, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.

“The funds will be used to identify and assess sites that have a history related to petroleum storage or use,” said Mark Berenbrok, of DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management. “These sites include old gas stations, bulk plants, mills and other industrial sites located in the old mill villages or other properties throughout Anderson.”

Berenbrok said a brownfield is a property that can be difficult to redevelop or reuse because of possible contamination. The grant funds will be used for researching the property’s history, ownership, and identification and assessment of potential contamination and the source of contamination. The actual investigation of each site could take several months to more than a year depending on the presence and severity of any contamination. No specific sites have yet been selected for the three year project.

“Among the first steps of this effort will be to involve Anderson residents, community groups and the city to help identify the best locations for the program,” Berenbrok said. “The City of Anderson is partnering with DHEC in the project.”

Currently DHEC is requesting a change in the state’s Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program through the General Assembly. The change would include petroleum contaminated sites in the state’s program and, if passed, will allow DHEC to enter into contracts with non-responsible prospective buyers of properties contaminated by petroleum. This proposed modification to the state’s brownfields law will complement the work that will be performed with this grant funding.