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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $200,000 Brownfields Job Training Grant to Nye County, the EPA announced Thursday.

The latest grant means Nye County has received more than $1 million in Brownfields grants, which are targeted for the cleanup of contamination at abandoned industrial sites.

The EPA is working to help states and communities clean up and revitalize Brownfield sites since the passage of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act signed by President Bush Jan. 11, 2002, a letter by EPA Assistant Administrator Susan Parker Bodine said.

The latest grant was one of only 10 awarded through a national competition, according to Eileen Christensen, president of BEC Environmental Inc., an economic development consultant for Nye County.

Steve Simanonok, EPA Region 9 Brownfields coordinator, said Nye County has used previous grant money to clean up the Tonopah Pink Motel along with the Beatty Bullfrog Mine which is being considered as a possible alternative energy site.

Simanonok lauded Nye County, stating, "Your work is a role model for the EPA's Brownfields program and I am proud to be your project officer. Keep up the good work."

The latest grant is the newest extension of the county Brownfields program, Christensen said. It was started by the EPA to help residents of affected communities take advantage of jobs created by the cleanup of Brownfields sites.

The training grant will be used to help train Nye County residents to deal with cleanups of meth labs and other hazardous and petroleum substances throughout Nye County, Christensen said. The participants in the program will be trained in asbestos, lead and mold abatement, hazardous waste management and environmental assessments, she said.

Christensen said the town of Pahrump was seen as an ideal location for the program, with resources like the Nevada Job Connect office, Nye County Emergency Services, Pahrump Fire-Rescue Service and Great Basin College.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said, in a prepared statement, "Not only will this funding provide training and job placement for Nevadans, it will help clean up contaminated areas in Pahrump, one of Nevada's fastest-growing communities."

U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said, "Giving the community the opportunity to restore and maintain its environment is critical to encouraging future redevelopment, which will create new jobs and businesses."