Green Remediation EPA R5 IL EPA Greener Cleanups Meeting Carlos - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Green Remediation EPA R5 – IL EPA Greener Cleanups Meeting Carlos Pachon Office of Superfund Remediation & Technology Innovation pachon.carlos@epa.gov Chicago June 27, 2007

Agenda � What is Green Remediation? � OSWER’s Green Remediation Strategy � Green Remediation Practices & Case Studies � Moving Forward 2

What is “Green Remediation”? Working/draft definition of the term: Green Remediation - The practice of considering the environmental effects of a remediation strategy (i.e., the remedy selected and the implementation approach) early in the process, and incorporating options to maximize the net environmental benefit of the cleanup action. 3

Green Remediation in the Context of Land Revitalization � Land revitalization: – Seeks to resolve barriers and promote the reuse of sites – Promotes sustainable redevelopment and end use – Green buildings, leveraged infrastructure, stormwater management, green space, habitat corridors, etc. � Green remediation: – Focuses on environmentally preferable options in the cleanup phase itself – Includes three primary elements: • Remedy Selection • Remedial Project Site Management • Energy Considerations 4

Green Remediation “zone” � Reuse planning/developing cleanup strategies � Site assessment � Site investigation and characterization � Assessment of cleanup options � Cleanup design and implementation � Deconstruction and demolition � Site improvement � Construction and transition to end reuse 5

OSWER’s Green Remediation Strategy � Goal – Foster the adoption of greener remediation practices across cleanup programs � Strategy – Benchmarking: State of the practice. – Identifying opportunities: Where can we improve? – Capacity building and networking practitioners – Creating “enabling” mechanisms 6

Green Remediation Practices (1) Remedy Selection � Established remedy selection criteria remain the priority � Preference for permanent remedies allowing unrestricted reuse � Benefits of in situ remedies – Soil vapor extraction, In-situ oxidation, etc � Resource intensity (water, energy, energy, etc) � Remedy linked to ecological restoration and/or site reuse 7

Green Remediation Practices (2) Remedial Project Site Management � Involves the prevention, minimization, and mitigation of pollution and ecological impacts from cleanup site activities � Minimize air quality impacts from heavy equipment – clean diesel and dust mitigation � Prevent soil compaction, erosion & surface runoff, off-site water quality impacts � Minimize and recycle C&D debris � Consider renewable energy options for onsite equipment (carbon neutral project) 8

Green Remediation Practices (3) Energy Considerations � Reduction – Involves reducing energy consumption during remediation without affecting the performance of the remedy – Energy intensity per unit of media or waste treated • Long term pump and treat vs source removal • Reduce carbon footprint – Energy efficiency • Remedy selection and design • Remedy evaluation and optimization � Renewable – Alternative and renewable energy sources for treatment systems • Biofuels • Solar and wind powered remediation systems 9

Green Remediation Case Study 1 Rhizome Collective Inc. Brownfields Site Background: Brownfields site in Austin, TX with 5,000 cubic yards of illegally dumped debris. Green Remedy: � Green Building and Construction and Demolition (C&D) Practices : Concrete was consolidated and used as fill for building infrastructure for the park � Energy Considerations : Use of vegetable-oil powered tractor for remove debris � Ecological and Natural Remediation Technologies: Bioremediation and phytoremediation to breakdown landfill contaminants; Use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and storm water http://rhizomecollective.org/node/8 mitigation 10

Green Remediation Case Study 2 Nebraska Ordnance Site Background: 17,000-acre Superfund site in Mead, NE that operated from 1942 to 1956 as a munitions production plant. High concentrations of TCE in groundwater. Green Remedy: Energy Considerations – Alternate sources of energy : � Use of 10 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine to power a groundwater circulation well (GCW) to treat contaminated groundwater � Monthly emissions of carbon dioxide averaged between 24 to 32% less during the grid inter-tie phase � Average daily energy consumption from utilities decreased by 26% during the grid inter-tie phase � Eliminated need for utility extension to remote areas 11

Green Remediation Case Study 3 West Page Swamp Background: Superfund site in Bunker Hill, ID located in a historic mining area. High levels of lead endangered wildlife. Green Remedy: Ecological and Natural Remediation Technologies � Use of biosolids to remediate lead-contaminated soils by reducing bioavailability of metals; rebuild soil and soil function; and establish a native plant ecosystem � Biosolids improve soil properties, supply nutrients essential for plant growth, and serve as an alternative for expensive chemical fertilizers � Cost savings from reuse of biosolids 12

Moving Forward � “Green Remediation Bulletin” – Draft outline within this month – Final targeted for August 2007 � “Remedy Engineering Considerations for Reuse Planning Bulletin” targeted for September 2007 � Your input is very valuable – seeking input, suggestions, reviewers,, etc 13

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Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center (BTSC) � Cooperative effort to provide technical support to federal, state, local, and tribal officials for questions related to the use of innovative technologies and strategies for site assessment and cleanup –Operational since 1998 –Accessible at www.brownfieldstsc.org or toll- free: (877) 838-7220 � Develop information resources addressing site cleanup decisions to assist brownfields and land revitalization decision makers. 15

Upcoming BTSC Products � Green Remediation Bulletin (In development) – Compile information on practices, experiences, and new opportunities – Encourage discussion early in remedy and redevelopment planning phases – Audience: Non technical decision makers – Groundwork for redefined LEED credit? � Remedy Engineering Considerations for Reuse Planning Bulletin (In development) – Leveraging site assessment data collection to support redevelopment engineering data needs – Joint remedy engineering design and site reuse design and decisions to increase reuse flexibility, reuse structures, and avoid “re-opening” transition remedies – Long term sustainability of remedies & reuse 16

BTSC Products Remedy Engineering Considerations for Reuse Planning Bulletin � In early stages of development � Leveraging site assessment data collection to support redevelopment engineering data needs � Joint remedy engineering design and site reuse design and decisions: – Can increase reuse flexibility – Reuse structures as apart of the remedy (beyond parking lot caps) – Avoid “re-opening” transition remedies � Long term sustainability of remedies & reuse 17