Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to: (1) revise and reauthorize brownfields revitalization funding through FY2021, and (2) reauthorize state response programs through FY2021. (Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) Certain nonprofit organizations and community development entities are made eligible for brownfields revitalization funding. The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, technical assistance, or remediation activities at brownfield sites. The brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program and the brownfield remediation grant and loan program are revised by authorizing eligible governmental entities to receive grants and loans for property that was acquired before January 11, 2002, even if the entities do not qualify as bona fide prospective purchasers. The bill increases the cap on the amount that may be given in grants and loans for each site to be remediated. If a state or local government takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity, that government is not an owner or operator for the purposes of CERCLA. The bill modifies brownfield program eligibility with respect to petroleum sites where no viable responsible party exists. The bill revises leaseholder status regarding bona fide prospective purchasers.