The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Dec. 13 aimed at revitalizing abandoned industrial sites, commonly known as brownfields.

The Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act would make it easier for small communities to apply for grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for revitalization projects at abandoned, potentially contaminated sites. Currently, local governments have to go through the cumbersome process of applying for a Section 108 loan guarantee to receive a Brownfields Economic Development Initiative grant, said Rep. Michael G. Oxley, R-Ohio, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee and helped pass the legislation in the House. The legislation would eliminate that requirement.

"This bill will speed the cleanup and redevelopment of these contaminated properties, creating jobs and opportunity," Oxley said. "The bill will especially benefit smaller communities that have not been able to receive assistance under the Brownfield Economic Development Initiative before."

Rep. Gary G. Miller, R-Calif., the sponsor of the bill, said that cleaning up additional potentially contaminated areas that don´t qualify for the Superfund program would improve the quality of life and the environment for communities across the country.

"This legislation gives local communities a valuable tool to address blight, create new jobs, and expand their tax base," Miller said.

The bill next goes to the Senate for its consideration.