RE-Powering America's Land Initiative: 0ctober2EPA
Center for Program Analysis
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative:
Action Plan 2.0
October 2014
On May 1, 2013, the Initiative was honored to be recognized by Harvard University as aTop 25 Innovation in American
Government. The increasing number of renewable energy developments on contaminated lands - more than 100
projects to date - speaks to positive trends for the revitalization of the nation's contaminated lands in pursuit of
cleaner energy.
As the Initiative moves forward, the Agency expects to refine its activities to meet emerging needs of stakeholders
involved in site cleanup and reuse. This action plan articulates the continuation of activities that have been impactful
and suggests areas of new emphasis. It is structured along the Initiative's goals and objectives as follows:
RE-Powering America's Land
Overview of Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Provide Technical and Programmatic Assistance
Objective 1: Enhance and Disseminate Tools
Objective 2: Expedite Projects
Goal 2: Promote Policies and Best Practices That Encourage Renewable Energy on Contaminated Lands
Objective 3: Highlight and Analyze Programs and Policies at the Federal, State, Local and Tribal Level
Objective 4: Identify Successful Strategies, Articulate Impacts and Disseminate Lessons Learned
Goal 3: Partner with Stakeholders and Leverage Agency Efforts
Objective 5: Strengthen Networks and Facilitate Collaboration among Stakeholders
Objective 6: Leverage Funding and Build Capacity
These goals and objectives recognize the contribution of the many stakeholders involved in successful cleanup
and revitalization efforts, and the various roles that the Agency can play. Stakeholders span the public, private and
non-profit sectors and include site owners, communities, renewable energy developers, financiers, and government
agencies at all levels (local, state, tribal, federal) and responsibilities (e.g. environmental protection, economic
development, energy).
The action plan results from many conversations within the Agency and across the wide and diverse set of
stakeholders. The plan communicates Agency efforts specifically, while retaining flexibility to take advantage of
opportunities as they arise. In addition to the specified actions, the Agency will continue to place a high priority on
working collaboratively with related programs and public, private and non-profit stakeholders.
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative:
Action Plan 2.0
October 2014
Goal 1: Provide Technical and Programmatic Assistance
Objective 1: Enhance and Disseminate Tools
EPA has successfully developed tools, handbooks and other documents which aid stakeholders in identifying
and considering contaminated lands for renewable energy development, and, once identified, in pursuing such
development. Over the next two years, RE-Powering expects to refine its existing tools and make them better known
and more accessible to practitioners.
While the Initiative is open to the development of additional tools to assist stakeholders in the pursuit of RE-Powering-
type projects, EPA did not hear strong requests within the public comments for the development of new tools. As
future demand warrants, the Initiative will pursue the development of new tools as resources and opportunities allow.
EPA will continue to enhance its mapping and screening tools, including its RE-Powering Mapper, to add more
federal- and state-tracked sites. The Mapper makes it possible to view information about renewable energy potential
on contaminated lands alongside other information contained in Google Earth.The Mapper currently contains data
from a number of EPA's land cleanup programs (Superfund, RCRA Corrective Action, Brownfields, etc.) and data from
a subset of states. RE-Powering plans to work with states, as it has in the past, to identify the next addition of sites
considering state interest, favorable renewable energy policies, and data availability and consistency.
Because geographic analysis is pursued by many users on multiple platforms, RE-Powering also plans to improve the
integration of this tool with other Agency geospatial efforts so that different programs can leverage the data and
insight derived from their respective systems. In addition to formal integration of additional sites and capabilities into
the RE-Powering Mapper, the Initiative plans to publicize the availability of additional site data and resources from
federal, state and other sources on its website and in its outreach materials.
The Agency believes that the utility of its solar and wind decision trees can be enhanced by creating an electronic,
interactive version. The decision trees walk users through a series of "Yes/No" questions to screen sites for
development potential. These decision trees are currently in a static publication that allows the reader to learn about
the characteristics that make a site more attractive for development. The interactive version will make the content
in these documents easier to understand, and the user can enter and save site-specific information and produce a
summary of the screening-level assessment.
EPA has successfully partnered with experts in renewable energy (e.g. NREL) to articulate and disseminate the
characteristics associated with renewable energy on contaminated lands, particularly solar and wind technologies.
EPA plans to continue such partnership efforts with respect to those two technologies, while continuing to explore
opportunities for biomass - including biopower and biodigesters - on contaminated lands. Efforts could include
exploring the characteristics of biomass conversion facilities in greater depth, as well as evaluating prospects for
greater market penetration of standalone biodigesters in addition to more traditional agricultural and wastewater
treatment applications. This inquiry will provide the Initiative insight on whether to enhance its efforts on biomass vis
a vis other renewable technologies.
Actions
Timeframe
Enhance RE-Powering Mapper
Summer 2015
Create Electronic Version of Solar and Wind Decision Trees
Winter 2015
Explore Opportunities for Biomass On Contaminated Lands
Winter 2016
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative: 0ctober2EPA
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative:
Action Plan 2.0
October 2014
The Initiative expects to include and/or publicize such sites and apply the tools it has created (e.g. the RE-Powering
Mapper) to help the Agency and stakeholders perform additional targeting.
Actions
Timeframe
Respond and Support Project Inquiries
On-Going
Support, Train and Utilize RE-Powering's Response Team
On-Going
Support Cleanup Project Managers in Their Consideration of Renewable Energy as
a Reuse Option or within Green Remediation Approaches
On-Going
Explore Additional Opportunities for Site-Specific Technical Assistance
Spring 2015
Proactively Identify Sites, Particularly Opportunities on Federal Lands and Solar
Photovoltaics on Landfills
On-Going
Goal 2: Promote Policies and Best Practices to Encourage Renewable Energy on Contaminated Lands
Objective 3: Highlight and Analyze Policies and Programs at the Federal, State, Local and Tribal Level
Policies and programs that affect renewable energy development on contaminated lands are created at many levels
of government. While the Agency does not currently offer financial incentives directly, there are other organizations
that do or could. Similarly, RE-Powering may not be the primary author of policies, regulations and studies that affect
renewable energy development, but it is interested in identifying and highlighting best and innovative practices
that could be utilized to address environmental concerns, protect human health and the environment, and promote
site reuse. Through the sharing of information and the analysis of programs and policies, the RE-Powering Initiative
can further enhance and leverage efforts towards the cleanup of sites and the greater siting of renewable energy on
contaminated lands.
Policies and programs that could be explored might address:
the integration of renewable energy development and on-going cleanup processes, or amid post-cleanup
liability concerns;0
preferences and obstacles related to installations on contaminated lands, landfills and mine sites;
technical and financial hurdles that create obstacles for renewable energy on contaminated lands;
the regulatory review of such installations and opportunities to streamline processes; and
other issues and obstacles that impact the cleanup and reuse of contaminated sites for renewable energy; for
example, by working with our partners exploring:
the on-site use and the off-site purchase and marketing of power from contaminated lands;
o the interconnection of renewable energy into a mix of power generation with different operating
characteristics meeting a variety of load profiles; and
o new and evolving models of ownership, leasing and power purchases.
Local government entities often acquire renewable energy installations through the use of formal solicitations (e.g.
requests for proposal, or RFPs). Many municipalities do not have expertise in the complex legal, technical and financial
issues that such mechanisms may involve and could benefit from having sample documents or other guidance related
to solicitations for contaminated lands. The Agency, therefore, plans to facilitate the development of materials that
clarify the use and development of solicitations and formal RFPs for renewable energy on contaminated lands. Such
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative:
Action Plan 2.0
October 2014
materials could include a "model RFP"or an assemblage of best practices / key considerations, or could take some
other form. EPA plans to build on other work in this area (e.g. guidance from other entities) and highlight aspects
related to the use of contaminated lands.
Given the increasing damage and recovery from extreme weather events (e.g. hurricanes, superstorms) and the
anticipated effects of climate change, RE-Powering is exploring the potential need and opportunities for renewable
energy installations on contaminated lands near critical infrastructure to support continued operations. Such designs
would need to consider on-going operations and evolving climatic conditions, as well as the more immediate
response needs during and immediately after an emergency event.The analysis would consider opportunities in
which contaminated lands are near identified infrastructure (e.g. hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities).It would
also evaluate certain operational and technical challenges associated with such development on its own and coupled
with other systems and technologies (e.g. storage and/or more traditional forms of backup power).
Actions
Timeframe
Analyze and Support Policy, Programs and Regulatory Approaches that Promote
Renewable Energy on Contaminated Lands, Landfills and Mine Sites
On-Going
Facilitate Solicitations and Requests for Proposal on Contaminated Lands
Spring 2015
Analyze the Potential for RE-Powering Sites to Support Critical Infrastructure
Summer 2015
Objective 4: Identify Successful Strategies, Articulate Impacts and Disseminate Lessons Learned
To avoid "re-inventing the wheel,"stakeholders learn from the expertise and experience of others. Through RE-
Powering, EPA has the opportunity to collect and disseminate"lessons learned"from successful projects, including
what made them successful and how the current projects appeared when they were a less distinct opportunity.
Communicating approaches that surmounted obstacles has always been of interest, particularly the technical,
regulatory and financial aspects of such projects. The Initiative has and plans to continue to communicate such
information through case studies (both site-specific and thematic). In addition, the Initiative plans to produce
materials that highlight the ways successful projects have surmounted barriers, streamlined processes, and promoted
and enhanced the environmental benefits of such development.
The Initiative plans to maintain and improve the means through which it communicates the opportunities,
approaches and impacts associated with renewable energy development on contaminated lands, landfills and mine
sites.The Initiative plans to revise its website and explore social media mechanisms to continue to be relevant and
useful to its stakeholders.
The Initiative has lessons to learn and therefore plans to embark on a staged evaluation of its activities. Such an
evaluation will articulate outcomes, examine the mechanisms used by the Initiative, and explore metrics to measure
effort and impact. Such information will help the Agency guide its actions and better realize environmental and other
benefits that RE-Powering investments have to offer.
Actions
Timeframe
Highlight Successful Projects and Ways to Address Barriers, Streamline Process and
Promote Sustainability
On-Going
Revise RE-Powering America's Land Website
Fall 2015
Evaluate Effectiveness of RE-Powering
Winter 2015
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative: 0ctober2EPA
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative:
Action Plan 2.0
October 2014
The Initiative is at the crossroads between those thinking about resources for future electricity needs and those
making land use decisions about particular sites and across communities. At this intersection, RE-Powering can cross-
fertilize these multifaceted needs. Examples of this might include facilitating the selection of and enhancing the
value associated with contaminated lands, landfills or mine sites for capacity planning; or reducing transmission and
distribution needs by finding sites closer to electrical load. RE-Powering projects not only augment the investment
in cleanup for the site, but transform community blight into productive assets. These are complex markets and
regulatory processes, but their common consideration offers efficiency gains, enhanced environmental protection,
and greater utilization of our land resources.
There are a host of organizations promoting clean energy and the reuse of contaminated sites. The Initiative will
be most successful if it not only coordinates, but partners with such organizations. For example, EPA can partner
with land cleanup programs at all levels of government (federal, state, local and tribal) and their associated reuse
efforts (e.g. federal Superfund efforts, state brownfields programs); and with environmental, planning and land use
organizations as well as regulatory and voluntary programs promoting the use of clean energy and greenhouse gas
reductions (e.g. public utility commissions, EPA's Green Power Partnership). For a multitude of reasons including
synergy, mutual learning, and the avoidance of duplication, EPA plans to identify and collaborate with such related
programs and initiatives.
Actions
Timeframe
Engage Private, Non-Profit and Non-Government Stakeholders
On-Going
Coordinate and Collaborate with Other Federal Agencies (in particular, partner
with CEQ and other federal agencies to meet renewable energy goals using
contaminated lands, landfills and mine sites)
On-Going
Partner with States, Localities and Energy Supply Stakeholders to Highlight and
Disseminate Effective Policies and Enhance the Context for Renewable Energy on
Contaminated Lands, Landfills and Mine sites
On-Going
Identify and Partner with Programs Promoting Renewable Energy on
Contaminated Lands and/or Investing in Reuse
On-Going
Objective 6: Leverage Funding and Build Capacity
While there are opportunities for public entities to host and support renewable energy on contaminated lands, the
large majority of projects will occur because policy and economic markets provide incentives for the private sector
to pursue such investments. In addition to encouraging a supportive policy and regulatory environment (Goal 2) and
pursuing active partnerships (Objective 5), the Agency seeks to leverage available funding from across agencies to
achieve community, economic and environmental goals.
There are numerous grant and technical assistance programs across the government that might assist the remediation
of sites and the development of renewable energy on contaminated lands. Some of these programs and grants are
explicitly directed towards such work, while others may broadly concern community development and be equally
available. The Initiative seeks ways to incorporate and expand the consideration of contaminated sites as locations for
renewable energy development in solicitations.The Agency hopes to facilitate such consideration by broadcasting
grant, technical assistance, and other funding opportunities, and by working with offerers to have contaminated sites
be part of grant criteria or less formal considerations.
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RE-Powering America's Land Initiative:
Action Plan 2.0
October 2014
While some stakeholders come to the table with the resources and expertise to explore renewable energy
development on contaminated lands, others do not.The RE-Powering Initiative believes it has a role in supporting
stakeholders who have intrinsic interests in such reuse, but not necessarily the experience or technical capacity to
evaluate such projects or engage in such discussions.Therefore, the Agency plans to build capacity and facilitate peer-
to-peer networks that can assist stakeholders. In particular, EPA is exploring ways to facilitate, support and utilize a
network of communities in which those that have successfully installed renewable energy on contaminated lands can
further inspire such development and share lessons learned.
EPA has prioritized engagement with tribal governments as they tackle various environmental challenges, pursue
revitalization, and develop energy resources and energy infrastructure. The Initiative plans to work through existing
tribal environmental networks and across Agency and governmental programs to support the pursuit of RE-Powering
opportunities on tribal lands.
Actions
Timeframe
Leverage Available Funding and Coordinate Across Programs
On-Going
Support and Utilize Potential Community Networks
Spring 2015
Engage Tribes and Support Their RE-Powering Efforts
On-Going
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