RE-Powering America's Land:
Evaluating the Feasibility of Siting Renewable Energy Production
on Potentially Contaminated Land
Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community, Michigan
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
16429 Beartown Road
Baraga, Michigan
Site Facts:
Site type: Brownfields
Renewable technology: Wind
Generation potential: Community scale
Contacts:
EPA Region 5
Darryl Owens
owens.darryl@epa.gov
(312)886-0800
National Renewable Energy Lab
Gail Mosey
gail.mosey@nrel.gov
(303)384-7356
www.nrel.gov
EPA/NREL Partnership
In September 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the
RE-Powering America's Land: Siting Renewable Energy on Potentially Contaminated
Land and Mine Sites initiative. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy's National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are collaborating on a project to evaluate the
feasibility of siting renewable energy production on potentially contaminated sites.
EPA has provided more than $650,000 through an interagency agreement that pairs
EPA's expertise on contaminated sites with NREL's expertise in renewable energy.
The project will analyze the feasibility of siting renewable energy on 12 sites across
the country. The analysis will include, among other things, the best renewable
energy technology for the site, the optimal area to locate the renewable energy
technology on the site, potential renewable energy generating capacity, the return
on investment, and the economic feasibility of the renewable energy projects. NREL
will also pursue an analysis to explore the potential for siting alternative fuel stations
(e.g., electric charging stations) at former gas station sites.
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Brownfields Site
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) has several tribal brownfields
properties. NREL visited three of these sites on Jan 21,2010. The sites were evaluated
for wind power potential based on several factors including: amount of ground
clutter (buildings, trees, etc.) in the direction of the prevailing winds (N-NW);
proximity to loads for more cost effective behind-the-meter wind applications; exclusion areas due to environmental sensitivity,
cultural/historical significance, etc.; road suitability and available space for Met tower and turbine construction/installation;
elevation relative to surrounding terrain; and proximity to existing residences, businesses, roads, etc.
Any future wind power development would be used to support tribal commercial business development and would also assist with
commercial development decisions on and near the property.
Feasibility Study: Begins Winter 2010
NREL is conducting a study on the potential for wind power generation on one of the brownfield sites. Continued discussion with
the KBIC regarding the results of the site visit will finalize site selection in the very near future. Met tower erection will begin after
the site has been finalized. The feasibility study will evaluate the technical and economic opportunities and challenges at the site.
It will:
Provide a preliminary analysis of the viability of the site;
Assess wind resource availability;
Identify possible system size, design and location; and
Review the economics of the proposed system.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland or contact cleanenergy@epa.gov
&ER
U.S. EPA OSWER
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