From Superfund to Solar: Repurposing Old Landfills

In York County, Pennsylvania, the solid waste authority is considering reopening a landfill that was previously a Superfund site. The 300-acre landfill in Hopewell Township was opened in 1974. Less than 10 years later, a 135-acre portion of the landfill that was unlined was found to have contaminated the groundwater. That section of the landfill was closed down, and it was labeled a Superfund site in 1987.

The former landfill was transformed into a wildlife habitat and recreation facilities, along with a 2-acre solar energy array that powers the groundwater cleanup process. Residents are understandably concerned about the potential reopening of the landfill at a site that now benefits the local wildlife as well as the community of Hopewell Township.

York County has a contract with Modern Landfill that continues until 2025. “We regularly consider long-term landfill capacity in the county,” commented York County Solid Waste Authority Executive Director David Vollero. “It is still early in this exploratory process, and we would not be doing our due diligence if we did not consider all our options for smart YCSL reuse. Future site development would be done only in collaboration with the community.”

There are many options—as well as risks—to consider when repurposing a landfill that is no longer in operation. The solar energy array installed at the former landfill in Hopewell Township proved to be a success. The idea of installing solar panels at a closed landfill site is being considered by the City of Norfolk, Virginia. And the Township Council of Old Bridge, New Jersey, recently approved a redevelopment plan for AC Power to construct a solar field at the Global Landfill site, a 130-acre former Superfund site that has been inactive since 1984. The landfill remediation project started in 2010, and in 2012 the landfill cap was completed, although groundwater continues to be monitored today.

The solar farm would take up only about 1% of the total area at the landfill site, and the solar panels will provide power to 400 homes, reducing residents’ utility bills by 20%.

Meanwhile, in Norfolk, Virginia, the City is in discussions with Community Power Group to redevelop an old 59-acre landfill site. The Campostella Landfill was closed in the 1990s, and Community Power is planning to construct an 8-megawatt solar farm there.