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Brownfields
Waste Treatment Home > Brownfields
 On
January 11, 2002, President Bush signed legislation that will encourage
the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields. These sites are land
properties where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which
may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
The President also announced that his FY 03 budget will double EPA funds-from $98 million in FY2002 to $200 million-to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfields sites.
The Administration's FY 03 budget also includes $25 million in funding for urban redevelopment and brownfields cleanup through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that between 500,000 and one million brownfields tarnish the landscapes of communities across America, typically in urban areas.
Cement-based solidification/stabilization (S/S) treatment is well
suited for remediation of contaminated industrial properties. S/S
has already been used on a number of brownfields sites. In this
technology, cement is mixed into contaminated soil or sediment to
bind the contaminants to the treated material. Treated material
can often be reused on site since the treatment can improve the
physical characteristics of the material. Cement-based S/S as well
as other cement and concrete products, can help developers earn
additional credits for Leadership in Energy & Environmental
Design (LEED®) certifications. More.
Case Studies: (Click on title for
link)
How to Get the Most LEED®
Credits for Your Brownfield Site
Redevelopment of Brownfields sites has become more than just reuse
of the land. There are also opportunities to make whatever renovation
of existing buildings or new construction as environmentally friendly
as possible. The “greenness” of building can be evaluated
by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®)
Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC). The LEED system certifies renovation or new construction.
Credits toward certification are earned on a project meeting certain
requirements. Cement-based remediation technology and concrete can
help in achieving LEED certification or increasing the certification
level of a building/development.
Each project pursuing LEED certification is handled by USGBC on
an individual project basis; LEED does not deal in hypotheticals.
PCA can assist parties pursuing LEED certification for a project
by providing technical information on the use of cement-based remediation
and concrete in sustainable development.
For starters, rehabilitation of sites where development is complicated
by real or perceived environmental contamination earns one LEED
certification credit. This Brownfield Redevelopment credit is earned
under Sustainable Sites Credit 3.
The Brownfield Redevelopment credit is a given for redevelopment
of a brownfield site, however by using cement-based solidification/stabilization
(S/S) additional credits potentially could be earned. LEED encourages
reduction of construction waste. Up to two credits can be earned
by diverting construction, demolition and land clearing debris from
landfill disposal (Materials & Resources Credit 2.1 and 2.2).
Through the use of cement-based S/S treatment, contaminated soils
often can be reused on-site. Reuse of treated soil keeps it from
being disposed in a landfill. PCA will provide technical information
to parties pursuing these credits for certification of their project.
Developers of contaminated brownfield properties considering the
use of cement-based S/S are encouraged to contact Chuck Wilk, a
LEED Accredited Professional, to see how PCA can assist in securing
as many credits as possible. Contact Chuck at 847.972.9072 or cwilk@cement.org.
More information on LEED can be found at the USGBC
Web site.
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