In 1998, Massachusetts passed a law creating financial incentives and liability relief for parties that take on brownfields cleanup projects. This law is known as the Brownfields Act,. The Act provides funding to administer programs targeted towards the cleanup and reuse of contaminated property. In 2006, the state extended the Brownfields Tax Credit and made these credits transferable. The legislature also periodically recapitalizes the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is committed to the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields properties as a way to stimulate the economy and promote environmental protection goals. "Brownfield" properties often have certain characteristics in common: they are typically abandoned or for sale or lease; they typically have been used for commercial or industrial purposes; they may have been reported to MassDEP because contamination has been found or they may not have been assessed due to fear of unknown contamination conditions.