Perry, Ga. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff delivered new resources to remove hazardous contaminants and substances from properties in Perry, Georgia.
Today, Sens. Ossoff and Warnock delivered new resources through the bipartisan infrastructure law to help expedite the cleanup of hazardous materials found on the 1.4-acre Stanley Assemblage property on Macon Road and Meeting Street.
The new resources will be used to remove pollutants, like tetrachloroethylene, a metal degreasing solvent, from the nearly century-old property, which previously housed a Stanley Furniture store, dry-cleaning facility, and gas station in the 1960s.
Exposure to tetrachloroethylene is known to cause irritation in the eyes, nose, skin, throat, and respiratory system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Above all this is about our communities’ health. No family in Perry should live in fear of contaminants in their communities,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why Senator Warnock and I are delivering these historic public health and environmental cleanup efforts across Georgia. I thank President Biden, Administrator Regan, and Southeast Regional Administrator Blackman for their support.”
“As a preacher, I believe we are all called to be good stewards of our planet and its resources, so as a public servant, I was proud to champion the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its critical investments in cleaning up communities in Houston County and across Georgia that have been impacted by industrial waste,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “We know that historically disadvantaged communities bear the brunt of the public health and economic downfalls posed by contaminant exposure; this robust grant is an important next step in alleviating these risks and creating a safer, healthier Middle Georgia for all.”
The bipartisan infrastructure law included increased assistance for designated brownfields communities across the U.S. — areas the EPA has identified to contain contaminated properties.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people living near these sites may be exposed to hazardous substances by drinking groundwater impacted by the site, by wind carrying contamination off the site, or by walking on the site itself — leading to long-term environmental and public health risks.
Perry, Georgia, will receive $500,000 through the bipartisan infrastructure law’s EPA brownfields grant program to begin contamination removal and support community engagement activities.
Perry is one of four communities across Georgia to receive this important grant. According to the EPA, there are currently more than 450,000 brownfields across the nation, and these areas commonly experience declining property values, reduced social services, and other risks to residents’ quality of life.
