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About this course

In August of 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified over 80,000 brownfields and municipal solid waste landfills across the country that could be used for renewable energy facilities. There are many benefits to reusing contaminated land for renewable energy, such as greater community support, protection of open space and valuable farmland and possibly shorter project approval timeframes. Many developers have adopted strategies to cost-effectively provide engineering controls, as well as activity and land use limitations that allow for safe redevelopment.

With many states passing legislation for aggressive renewable energy development goals, several of the country’s brownfields and closed landfills are sitting ripe for redevelopment.

In this course, Lucia Woo, Darrell Thornock and Lauren Rodriquez will explain exactly what a landfill is and how to permit and site them for solar redevelopment. Specifically our team will review considerations for preparing a landfill or brownfield site from an environmental and civil engineering perspective. Our presenters will share considerations for permitting, designing, and constructing on these sites as well highlight recent project work, detailing lessons learned and key takeaways. Lucia, Darrell, and Lauren represent many years of combined industry experience and knowledge across many disciplines.

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Course outline

1 module • 6 assignments • 36 minutes of video lectures

Module 1 • 4 assignments
Solar Development on Brownfields & Landfills

  • Solar Development on Brownfields & Landfills (36:43 minutes)
  • Presentation Materials (.pdf)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) RE-Powering America's Land
  • EPA - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: A Historic Investment in Brownfields

Authors

  • LaBella Associates

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    At LaBella Associates, our job is to create – structures, plans, ideas, results. As a nationally recognized Design Professional Corporation, that’s a given, right? But here’s what really drives us: creating partnership between our team and our clients. So much so that we become one team, unified in the unrelenting pursuit of exceptional performance on each and every... Learn more

  • Lucia Woo

    Environmental Renewable Manager, LaBella Associates
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    Lucia is the Environmental Renewables Manager at LaBella Associates, a full-service engineering firm with renewable energy service offerings from pre-development to post-construction phase. In support of environmental compliance and economic development, Lucia focuses on valuable resource identification and impact analysis for water bodies, wildlife, farmland, public... Learn more

  • Darrell Thornock, PE

    Technical Consultant, LaBella Associates
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    Darrell joined LaBella Associates in 2008 as an Engineer Project Consultant. He is responsible for managing solid waste and stormwater engineering projects in order to meet or exceed our client’s expectations and regulatory guidelines. Darrell’s experience includes solid waste facility permitting issues such as permit application, amendment preparation, construction... Learn more

  • Lauren Rodriquez, PE

    Civil Engineer, LaBella Associates
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    Lauren is a Civil Engineer with progressive experience in site design of public and private infrastructure. Her responsibilities include project management, conceptual site layouts, drainage analysis and report preparation, cost estimating, site inspections, feasibility assessments, 3D renderings and flythroughs, client design coordination, and municipal agency... Learn more

Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?
This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. The lecture video and other materials are available any time.
How long do I have access to the materials?
For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your group.

Reviews

4.6
Based on 43 reviews
224
students have taken this course
05/17/2022

Really great course to further your education in the renewable energy in industry.

Tylor Johnson
EPC Project Engineer
07/04/2023

This short course is a powerful "eye-opener" to the endless benefits of turning unused land in the form of Landfills into a viable source of energy which is both environmentally beneficial to all while at the same time providing unlimited economic benefits. After reviewing this course and taking notes I can no longer drive by a vacant piece of land or any building and not think of how I can transform it into something really useful to society. I encourage everyone and their families to review this course and see how it affects their lives. I am convince that this material is so important and the significance of the topic affects each individuals life whether or not they know it.

Sedley Henry
02/05/2023

This insightful course provided the right balance of background and resources. I would undoubtedly recommend this course. It is worth your investment of time.

MaryEllen Barker

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