(a) There is established, within the Department of Economic and Community Development, an Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development. Such office shall be managed by a director, appointed by the commissioner in accordance with § 5-198. In addition to the other powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in this chapter, the office shall promote and encourage the remediation and development of brownfields in the state. The Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development shall coordinate and cooperate with state and local agencies and individuals within the state on brownfield redevelopment initiatives, including program development and administration, community outreach, regional coordination and seeking federal funding opportunities.

(b) The office shall:

(1) Develop procedures and policies for streamlining the process for brownfield remediation and development;

(2) Identify existing and potential sources of funding for brownfield remediation and develop procedures for expediting the application for and release of such funds;

(3) Establish an office and maintain an informational Internet web site to provide assistance and information concerning the state’s technical assistance, funding, regulatory and permitting programs for brownfield remediation and development;

(4) Provide a single point of contact for financial and technical assistance from the state and quasi-public agencies with regard to brownfield remediation and development;

(5) Develop a common application to be used by all state and quasi-public entities providing financial assistance for brownfield assessment, remediation and development;

(6) Identify and prioritize state-wide brownfield development opportunities, including, but not limited to, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, municipal officials and regional planning organizations, the identification of abandoned and underutilized mills that are important assets to the municipalities or the regions in which such mills are located;

(7) Develop and administer a communication and outreach program to educate municipalities, economic development agencies, property owners, potential property owners and other organizations and individuals with regard to state programs for brownfield remediation and redevelopment;

(8) At the office’s discretion, enter into cooperative agreements with economic development agencies and may, where appropriate, make grants to such organizations for the purpose of designing, implementing and supervising brownfield assessment and cleanups, or making further subgrants, provided each subgrant is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the original grant; and

(9) Create and maintain a web site independent of the department’s other web sites that is specifically dedicated to marketing and promoting state-owned brownfields, and develop and implement a marketing campaign for such brownfields and web site.

(c) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Public Health shall each designate one or more staff members to act as a liaison between their offices and the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development. The Commissioners of Economic and Community Development, Energy and Environmental Protection and Public Health, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall enter into a memorandum of understanding concerning each entity’s responsibilities with respect to the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development. The Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development may recruit two volunteers from the private sector, including a person from the Connecticut chapter of the National Brownfield Association, with experience in different aspects of brownfield remediation and development. Said volunteers may assist the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development in marketing the brownfield programs and redevelopment activities of the state.

(d) The Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development may call upon any other department, board, commission or other agency of the state to supply such reports, information and assistance as said office determines is appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities. Each officer or employee of such office, department, board, commission or other agency of the state is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development and to furnish such reports, information and assistance.