Advisory Board: Economic Development Committee
Subject: Update on Contra Costa EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant
Presenter: George E. Carter III, Economic Development Project Manager
Contact: 925-655-2782
Information:
Staff report is below, and verbal update will be provided.
Referral History and Update:
In September 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a solicitation for applications from jurisdictions seeking brownfields grant opportunities for Fiscal Year 2025. The brownfields coalition assessment grants were made available only to counties or councils of governments as lead members and consisted of one lead entity and 2 to 4 non-lead entities as coalition members. Brownfields coalition assessment grants provide up to $1.2 M for projects focused on identifying sites, reuse planning, community involvement, site assessments, and cleanup planning, with no match required. These funds are available over 4 years and can address properties in unincorporated Contra Costa County.
Given the multi-jurisdictional nature of the Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative, staff investigated opportunities with neighboring agencies for a collaborative approach to increase our chances of success. Brownfields coalition assessment grants provide for identifying sites, reuse planning, community involvement, and cleanup planning across multiple jurisdictions in the Northern Waterfront, namely those in the County and in the Cities of Pinole, Martinez, and Antioch. The three cities were supportive of the County’s proposal, along with a community partner, Sustainable Contra Costa.
In November 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved and authorized the Department of Conservation & Development to apply for-- and in May 2025, the EPA awarded-a grant of $1.2 million to the Department of Conservation & Development to fund the Contra Costa Brownfields Assessment as described in this update. There was no required match.
The application from the County required that the Coalition focus on Target Areas, which were
strategically selected to maximize the grant's impact by redeveloping industrial land, fostering job creation, and promoting a just transition for the energy workforce. The County’s Target Area includes the unincorporated community of Rodeo. Each of the cities and Sustainable Contra Costa also have a target area in the application.
On December 12, 2025, Economic Development staff from the County and other local agencies released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Coalition Grant to seek qualified and experienced firms to conduct technical analysis for the EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessments grant. The RFQ closed on January 16, 2026.
The County anticipates bringing on board a contractor through 2029 with expertise in the following fields: site identification, community engagement, Environmental Site Assessments, Site-Specific Clean-Up Plans, and Progress Reports.
The County anticipates that the contractor will have lead responsibility, in collaboration with the County, the Cities of Antioch, Martinez, and Pinole and Study partners and stakeholders on a scope of work that includes the following deliverables/outputs: Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCAs), Cleanup Plans, Reuse Planning/Redevelopment Reports and Studies, Progress Reports, and Other Duties.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE Update on Contra Costa EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant.