Generating Revenue from Closed Landfills: Solar Energy in the 21st Century December 1, 2016

Typical Solar Facility Components Solar Panels anchored to a racking system Structural Supports (driven piles, augered piers, concrete ballast) Inverters (string or central inverters) Interconnection Transformers (concrete pad) Underground or above ground wiring to the Utility Grid Performance Monitoring & Weather Station Security Fence & access roads Rochester Institute of Technology

Ideal Solar Development Site Solar is a diffuse energy source (6 acres generates 1 MW) Close to Point of Interconnection No wetlands or significant T&E species issues Compatible Zoning <8% slopes (w/exceptions) Receptive Neighbors and Community

Examples of Solar Projects on Brownfields 180 Renewable Energy Projects on Brownfields (~ 1,100 MW of Power) Solar 85% of projects on Brownfields (470 MW of Power) 63% of Solar projects are on Landfills 11 Solar Projects on Utility Owned Brownfields (7% of Total (10/152) Solar on Brownfields) 4 New Jersey (PSE&G projects) 6 Massachusetts (National Grid, Bay State Gas, WMEC) 1 Wisconsin (Alliant Energy) Sites 2.5 – 10 Acres in Size Power Generation (0.46 MW – 3.2 MW) Source: USEPA Re-Powering America’s Land Initiative: Project Tracking Matrix; April 2016 & personal communication This is why solar brownfields projects are good for the community. Dorchester, Massachusetts: National Grid

Solar on Brownfields: Challenges Existing Contamination Potential added Design and Installation Costs non-ground penetrating systems Legal Issues (Who is responsible if contamination is encountered?) Potential Regulatory Hurdles Project Development Timeline is less certain and generally longer How to Manage and Dispose of Contaminated Soils Health and Safety Considerations Workers may be required to have additional training The above Challenges can lead to Investor Uncertainty

Solar on Brownfields: Opportunities Long-Term Lease Arrangements with a Solar Developer (15 – 25 year) Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credits Permitting may be easier than other potential uses Potential for less strict regulatory closure criteria since the long-term post closure use is known (industrial or commercial standards rather than residential) Leverage existing utility infrastructure

Low Impact Post Closure Use Quiet Low Profile (<10’ high) Low Traffic Low Liability (Little potential for post closure spills, fires, etc.) Low Maintenance Can provide positive corporate & media attention Shaffer Landfill Superfund Site: Massachusetts 7

Solar Development on Landfills October 26, 2013 Solar Development on Landfills Type I: Solar Development Incorporated into the Landfill Final Cover System Installation (Less Common) Hickory Ridge Landfill, Atlanta, Georgia: 1.3 MW Solar Cap IES Professional Symposium

Solar Development on Landfills Type II Landfills: Changing the Use of a Closed and Capped Solid Waste Landfill Town of Esopus Landfill, West Park, New York

Planning and Design Considerations Start Early & Team w/an experienced & Well Capitalized Development Partner Consider several types of electrical and racking systems before starting the permitting effort Communicate with internal & external stakeholders early in the process (Utility interconnection team, municipality, neighbors, etc.) Design the landfill closure with Solar as an anticipated end use Solar power and brownfields make a great combination to accomplish several important goals of our communities. EPA recognized an opportunity for renewable energy and created RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative This is what the initiative is, and what it consists of. It mostly consists of providing information to potential developers. In the next few slides I’m going to go through the advantages of solar projects on brownfields. The information was provided by the EPA as part of the Re-Powering America’s Land Initiative. Saratoga Springs Weibel Avenue Landfill

Typical Required Permits for a Ground Mounted Solar Facility General Stormwater Discharge Permit US Army Corps of Engineers Stream and/or Wetlands Disturbance Permit Local Site Plan Approval and Building Permit Special Use Permit (Applies if solar is not mentioned in the local zoning code) Brownfields change of use plan approval (NYS Landfill Post-Closure Use Modification Request) Natural Resources and Cultural Resources Sign Off Road cut permit Schaffer Landfill: Massachusetts

Pre-Application Meeting with Local Officials INFORMATION IS POWER Meet with Local Officials with the project sponsor (if possible) to determine What permits are required? Who are the decision makers? What issues are the decision makers most concerned about? In New York State: Did the Community Sign a “Climate Smart Communities Pledge”? Remember: “All Politics is Local” Congressman Tip O’Neill, 1982 This philosophy also applies to site development and permitting.

“Typical Solar Generation Project on a Landfill”

Anticipated Design Studies Electrical Interconnection Impact Study Solar Assessment Study Environmental Due Diligence (required by solar investors and developers) Final cover system verification testing Wetlands delineation and related studies (if necessary) Typical concrete ballasted racking system

Typical Landfill Assessment Requirements & Demonstrations How will the solar project be installed to prevent damage to the landfill cap? Geotechnical Settlement and Stability Analysis (What is the max. dead load of the ballast, racking, and solar modules, collectively) Storm water management system evaluation. Are any modifications to the existing stormwater management system required for the proposed project? Is current landfill decomposition gas generation a safety or health concern? Who will monitor the landfill during operation of the solar facility? Typical transformer with above grade interconnection

Strategies for Developing Solar Projects on Landfills Conduct a Feasibility Assessment: Landfill Cap Construction (cap thickness, depth to barrier layer, etc.) Thickness of waste and potential for differential settlement Determine the facilities compliance history and potential for corrective action Landfill decomposition gas generation rates and management Potential Stormwater management issues Any post-closure use restrictions Local regulatory requirements (No Federal Standards for reusing landfills for solar development but the USEPA & many States are supportive of the concept) Landfill in Southeastern Massachusetts

Regulatory Considerations for Solar on Landfills Non-penetrating (concrete ballasted system preferred) Conduits managed via cable trays instead of trenches Upgrades to the landfill cap might be required Need to avoid landfill gas vents, monitoring wells, drainage swales, leachate conveyances, etc.) Access to the landfill with low pressure vehicles No large enclosed electrical equipment on landfill cap Typical conduit cable tray and transformer

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