EPA and DOE Plan Renewable Energy Project on Prices Pit Landfill

In a powerful move toward cleaner energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a partnership to bring renewable power to an unlikely site—the Prices Pit Landfill in New Jersey.

The Prices Pit Landfill to renewable energy project transforms a former Superfund site into a clean energy hub. This plan also supports both environmental restoration and renewable development, proving that even damaged land can serve a sustainable future.

From Waste to Watts

Located in Pleasantville, New Jersey, the Prices Pit Landfill once posed a major environmental hazard. However, federal cleanup efforts stabilized the area. Now, officials say the land is ready for a new purpose.

The EPA and DOE will work with local officials and private developers to assess the site for solar or wind energy potential. They plan to evaluate infrastructure, environmental risks, and energy output.

This effort falls under the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative, a federal program that identifies contaminated or underused land suitable for renewable energy.

Clean Energy Without Sprawl

The appeal of the project is clear. Rather than build new solar farms on undeveloped land, the government is repurposing existing brownfields and landfills. This reduces sprawl, protects wildlife habitats, and speeds up permitting.

Even better, these locations often already have grid access or existing roadways, lowering the cost of development.

The Prices Pit project serves as a model for future installations. At the same time, it reinforces how climate policy can support job creation, land reuse, and public health.

A New Chapter for Old Land

Turning a former dump into a clean energy source is more than a technical win—it’s a moral one. It shows that environmental damage doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right vision, neglected sites can power homes, reduce emissions, and inspire community renewal.

By placing solar panels or turbines on top of what was once toxic ground, the EPA and DOE prove that sustainability is possible—anywhere.

EPA and DOE will determine the potential energy generating capacity of the sites, the optimal location for placement of the renewable energy technology on the sites, the return on the investment, and the economic feasibility of the renewable energy projects.

(New York, N.Y. – November 21, 2011)

For more information about these projects of about the RE-Powering America’s Land initiative, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355 , 11-158