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Latest Posts tagged with "brownfields"

Questa solar project off and running

April 25, 2011 By Zoe Krasney

On an early April morning history was made in the small Northern New Mexico Village of Questa when the array of 173 concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar panels was officially turned on. Read more

Renewing lands with renewables

May 6, 2010 By Jessica Goad

The Fort Carson landfill with solar development in CO is an example of brownfield development. Photo by ArmyEnvironmentalUpdate.

The Wilderness Society has been working hard to ensure that renewable energy facilities are only built on lands that are free from wildlife, habitat, and other conflicts. Part of this work is identifying “brownfields” — former trade and industry centers that have since fallen into disrepair — that could have solar, wind, or geothermal facilities sited on them. Siting renewable energy on brownfields has excellent effects on lands, communities, and our country’s clean energy prospects. Read more

New developments in using clean energy to clean up brownfields

March 3, 2010 By Jessica Goad

Wind turbines at the Bethlehem Steel Superfund site in Lackawanna, NY. Courtesy EPA.

Exciting new developments are advancing our policy goal of re-using contaminated idle brownfield sites to support new renewable energy sources. As we have argued in previous posts, using contaminated lands for renewable energy development means less pressure to develop uncontaminated natural areas and open space, and also means less need for new transmission lines and rights-of-way. It is a win-win for lands, communities, and advocates of a clean energy future. Read more

Discussing renewable energy and brownfields in New Orleans

November 17, 2009 By Chase Huntley

I’m in The Big Easy today to engage in a national dialog on redeveloping  brownfields for renewable energy. (Brownfields are parcels of land that have been previously used for industrial purposes). The Environmental Protection Agency, under the leadership of Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus, is doing some exciting things to capitalize on this remarkable opportunity. Read more

Our Take: Press stories got Nature Conservancy report wrong

September 18, 2009 By Chase Huntley

Wind turbines, New York. Courtesy Department of Environmental Conservation.

Some clean energy opponents have put a false choice forward in recent press stories pitting land conservation priorities against needed renewable development. This shortsighted view misses the real opportunity to accomplish both of these national priorities which we've been advocating for regionally and nationally. Read more

Renewable energy belongs best on brownfields

May 12, 2009 By Jessica Goad

Steel Winds turbines, New York. Courtesy Department of Environmental Conservation.

One of the most exciting things about working on renewable energy issues in a land conservation organization is that every day we wade deep into the policies that will impact our public lands for decades to come. Our energy team works hard to support the nation’s shift to clean, renewable energy. At the same time, it’s important to us that the impacts of solar, wind, and geothermal facilities on our precious landscapes are kept to a minimum. Read more