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Remediation

Unlock Power Plant Sites for New Uses

Remediation involves the investigation and cleanup of hazardous materials to meet federal and state requirements. It also includes defining site-specific needs for redevelopment. The site owner is responsible for ensuring that the cleanup meets all regulatory requirements and works closely with stakeholders, environmental consultants, and state environmental agencies to develop and execute the remediation plan.

The cost and extent of the cleanup will depend on the anticipated reuse of the site, and the type and location of hazardous materials stored or disposed of on the property. For example, if industrial use is planned at the site, the cleanup requirements may be less stringent than what is required for residential uses.

Benefits of Remediation

Site remediation can provide a variety of benefits for communities.

Unlocking the site for new uses: Remediation can make it possible for the site to support new uses, like commercial or residential, that it wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.
Public health and safety: Mitigating and/or removing environmental hazards can improve public health and safety, especially in environmental justice communities.
Public perception: Remediation can take a site that is perceived as dirty or an eyesore and transform it into a site that generates developer interest and excitement from the community.
Economic development: Remediation can encourage redevelopment and investment at the site potentially increasing nearby property values and creating jobs.

Where Remediation Fits in the Site Reuse Timeline

The timeline for remediation of fossil-fuel power plants can range from under a year to several years, depending on the level of contamination.

A general timeline is shown below. The reuse timeline will vary depending on the site.

Shutdown

Plant announces closure and power production stops.

Decommissioning

Equipment and materials are removed and buildings are demolished.

Remediation

Contamination is addressed to support new uses on site.

Redevelopment

Site is prepped for new uses, which can range from clean energy to mixed-use to institutional to a number of other uses.

Redevelopment

Communities can plan ahead to identify remediation requirements. Site reuse options inform cleanup decisions and should be developed early in the process to determine the appropriate level of remediation work needed for development. Regulatory requirements, such as land use restrictions, zoning, and site access should also be considered.

The cost of remediation can vary greatly, from hundreds of thousands of dollars to several million dollars or more. Identifying funding to support remediation activities is a material factor in site reuse and may require a mix of public and private programs and sources.

Remediation Activities

Different types of fossil-fuel power plants require different types of remediation:

Coal-Fired Plants

Remediation of coal-fired plants is likely to involve removing asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other constituents from buildings; excavating and disposing of, or covering and capping, coal combustion residuals (CCRs), commonly known as coal ash; testing and removing concrete pads and soil around old transformers and hydraulic equipment; testing soil for mercury or other air pollution contaminants and removing it if necessary; and monitoring and remediating impacted groundwater.

Natural Gas and Petroleum-Fired Plants

Remediation of natural gas and petroleum-fired plants involves the dismantling, cleaning, and disposal of fuel storage equipment such as tanks and transportation lines. Leaking fuel storage tanks may require additional remediation to remove and properly dispose of contaminated soil. Some level of asbestos remediation may also be necessary.

Green Remediation

Green remediation practices use a combination of low-energy, low-waste treatment technologies, and green infrastructure. The practices emphasize recycling materials and reclaiming groundwater where possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help meet state and local renewable energy standards.

Steps in the Remediation Process

Site assessment: A review of the site and available records, including a site visit and soil and groundwater sampling, to assess current conditions and identify potential contamination.
Alternatives evaluation: Various remediation options are reviewed and evaluated for applicability to site-specific conditions and contaminants in consideration of cleanup and reuse goals.
Remedy selection: A remedy or combination of remedies are selected to perform cleanup in accordance with established cleanup objectives, statutory and regulatory requirements, and with consideration for the likely end use. The public is often invited to comment on the cleanup plan before approval.
Remedy implementation: Selected cleanup remedies are implemented. Additional contamination may be discovered during this phase and additional remedial alternatives may need to be evaluated. Prior to proceeding with redevelopment, appropriate regulatory officials should be consulted to receive a “no further action” designation.
Long-term site monitoring and operation and maintenance: Occasionally, low levels of contamination may be left on site. In such cases, future site activities and uses may be restricted and long-term monitoring of contamination levels in soil and groundwater may be required.
Redevelopment: Coordinating redevelopment and cleanup may mean future users take on roles associated with some aspects of maintenance, such as mowing or asphalt repair.

Remediation in Action

Most power plant reuse projects involve some level of remediation. For some projects, remediation is a large component and cost of the overall project. The case studies below offer lessons learned and insights from two highly contaminated power plant sites that went through the remediation process.