Brownfields to green energy : redeveloping contaminated lands with large-scale renewable energy facilities

Abstract

This thesis uses case studies of one unsuccessful, and three successful brownfield-to-renewable energy projects to identify common barriers such projects face and how those barriers can be overcome. The most significant barriers identified are those typical of brownfield development: cleanup costs, liability risks, uncertainty, technical and legal complexity, and the need to coordinate multiple stakeholders. These barriers can be overcome through strong partnerships characterized by full cooperation among developers, property owners, regulators, and local officials. Political and public support enables cooperation between public and private stakeholders. This support is driven by an expectation that brownfield-to-renewable energy projects will improve the city's image and stimulate development of the clean energy industry locally. The three successful projects received substantial public support. This suggests that locating renewable energy facilities on contaminated lands is a possible solution to the siting controversies faced by new renewable energy facilities, and by wind farms especially. Renewable energy facilities offer a reuse option for brownfields that can coexist with ongoing remediation. Carving-out less polluted parcels from large properties for phased development is a strategy that has great potential to expand renewable energy development on brownfields and provide property owners revenue that can facilitate complete remediation. The thesis concludes with recommendations for local, state, and federal actions to encourage and facilitate brownfields-to-renewable energy projects. Recommended local level actions include incorporating renewable energy into municipal comprehensive plans and brownfield redevelopment programs. Overall, recommendations emphasize facilitating the "carve-out" strategy (i.e. use the cleanest parts of brownfields for new energy projects) and modifying financial incentives to favor brownfield sites.