U.S. electricity demand is projected to increase 25 percent by 2030 due to electrification and data center growth. Although clean energy is the cheapest and fastest option to meet this demand, renewable projects face significant barriers, particularly around land use and siting. Large-footprint projects such as wind and solar often encounter community opposition and conflicts with agriculture or habitat preservation, leading to delays, litigation, and increased costs.
Meanwhile, according to a Center for American Progress analysis of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative data, there are more than 81,000 contaminated sites across the United States—including landfills, abandoned mines, and brownfields—suitable for wind and solar generation. CAP analysis finds that these sites could host more than 940 gigawatts of clean energy capacity, enough to power roughly 158 million homes when running at peak hours of the day. Projects would enable site cleanups that transform potential health hazards into assets—not only meeting electricity demand but also creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and boosting property values, all while reducing pressure on valuable lands for agriculture and wildlife.
81,097
Number of contaminated sites suitable for wind and solar generation across the United States
Yet the development of contaminated sites faces challenges: higher remediation costs, informational barriers, complicated liabilities, and uncertain permitting and development timelines. With federal support under attack and the premature phase-out of Inflation Reduction Act clean energy tax credits, state action is more critical than ever.
For more information and detailed policy recommendations, read the report
Encouragingly, states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York have successfully spurred development on contaminated lands by combining financial and nonfinancial incentives, demonstrating that smart policy can overcome barriers. Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York have the highest potential for power generation, but all states have suitable contaminated sites for clean energy and would benefit from supportive policies.
Policy recommendations for states
- Identify and communicate opportunity. Maintain public informational resources on potential sites, signal policy support with procurement preferences, provide technical assistance for communities, and conduct feasibility studies.
- Enable predictable development timelines. Streamline permitting for projects on contaminated lands that can demonstrate limited conflicts or risks, improve interagency coordination, and address liability for developers.
- Offset development costs. Supplement federal cleanup funds, offer financial incentives, and assist in preparing sites for development.
Without federal leadership, states must act to unlock clean energy on contaminated lands—turning liabilities into community assets while meeting electricity demand.