Buffalo, Ulster Energy Sites Among Those to be Assessed for Renewable Energy Projects
(Lackawanna, New York – November 18, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory are evaluating the feasibility of developing wind or solar power production on a three previously contaminated sites in New York State. EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck today visited the community near the former Bethlehem Steel plant in Lackawanna, one of two Buffalo area sites that will be evaluated, to announce the New York sites chosen for assessments. The assessments are part of the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative through which EPA will help revitalize abandoned sites, clean up the environment and lay the groundwork for renewable energy and job creation. The Lackawanna site will be evaluated for either solar or wind power. The EPA and DOE will evaluate sites in 20 states including Lackawanna, South Buffalo and Ulster, New York.
“America faces serious environmental and economic challenges caused by our over reliance on fossil fuels,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “Part of the solution is to use previously contaminated land to generate clean energy. This strategy will revitalize communities, cut air pollution and create new jobs.”
EPA and DOE Launch Clean Energy Site Assessments in New York
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have selected 26 sites nationwide for potential renewable energy projects. These efforts focus on wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power. The agencies will analyze each location for its energy capacity, optimal tech placement, cost return, and project feasibility.
Three of those sites are in New York State. Each presents a unique opportunity to revitalize old industrial zones and promote clean power.
Lackawanna: Building on Steel Winds
One selected site is the ArcelorMittal Tecumseh Redevelopment property in Lackawanna, New York. It spans 1,100 acres along Lake Erie and once housed the Bethlehem Steel plant. Notably, it sits adjacent to the Steel Winds project, a 2.5-megawatt wind farm recognized nationwide.
The EPA and DOE will assess this site for wind or solar energy production. Because the land is already industrialized, repurposing it can avoid harming untouched ecosystems. Moreover, clean energy could support local recovery from decades of job loss caused by de-industrialization.
South Buffalo: Power from Brownfields
Next, the agencies will evaluate the South Buffalo/Buffalo River industrial area in Buffalo, New York. This 3,500-acre zone includes two state-designated brownfield areas. Historically, these sites hosted steelworks, grain storage, and chemical plants.
Despite its industrial past, the land holds huge potential for wind or solar development. Large vacant spaces could support multiple clean energy installations. In fact, public and private investors have already shown interest in renewable energy here. With proper planning, the site could transform into a hub for Buffalo’s green future.
TechCity: Solar Momentum in Ulster County
The TechCity site in Ulster County, New York, rounds out the state’s list. At 256 acres, it’s the largest industrial site in the town of Ulster. While the site is already undergoing redevelopment, EPA and DOE will assess its potential for solar power.
The site’s blueprint already includes 50 acres reserved for ground-mounted solar arrays. It also plans for rooftop solar panels on existing buildings. As a bonus, clean energy businesses are already active here—producing solar components, LED lighting, and green roofing. Expanding solar generation onsite would complement these efforts and fuel the local green economy.
New Energy from Old Land
Across New York, these three sites share a common thread: they aim to turn pollution into power. By repurposing underused industrial land, the EPA and DOE could spark economic growth and deliver real environmental benefits. This strategy proves that clean energy doesn’t just reduce emissions—it rebuilds communities.
Source: US Environment Protection Agency
For more information about these projects of about the RE-Powering America’s Land initiative, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/
