A proposed Long Beach job training resource has been awarded a chunk of nearly $2 billion in federal grant money aimed at cleaning up contaminated sites in California known as "brownfields," the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.

LONG BEACH -- A proposed Long Beach job training resource has been awarded a chunk of nearly $2 billion in federal grant money aimed at cleaning up contaminated sites in California known as "brownfields," the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.

Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The EPA's Brownfields Program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Funds for the awards announced Wednesday come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on Feb. 17.

The City of Long Beach/Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network is to receive $452,212 to help pay for the proposed Long Beach Bioneers Academy. The city plans to train 100 participants, graduate 70 students, and place 53 graduates in environmental jobs through the academy.