Three Ways To Simplify Brownfield Redevelopment
Redevelopment of an old gas station property in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York.
Petroleum brownfields are exceptionally prevalent throughout the United States. As of July 2021, data suggests that approximately 238 million people live within three miles of a leaking underground storage tank (also known as a LUST). That number accounts for almost three-quarters of the entire population.
The negative aspects of brownfields are obvious. Contaminants of concern, like Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) can seep into the soil and groundwater and make the drinking water unsafe to consume. They also pose long term risks to human health and the environment, and present the hazard of explosions or fires. But on top of all of those factors, many of these brownfields are abandoned gas stations, which are unseemly and occupy much-needed real estate in American towns.
The redevelopment of brownfield sites can bring additional economic value to towns, and allow for building without taking over previously unoccupied natural lands. But restoring contaminated sites can be difficult, expensive, and even dangerous. There are ways to simplify the process, and it all boils down to technology.
1. Take Unpredictability Out of The Equation
There are a number of factors that complicate brownfield redevelopment, but the unpredictability of the treatment process is at the top of the list. Traditional soil treatment methods require bulky, hard to maneuver equipment, which means remediation timelines can be inaccurate. These technologies are also impacted by elements like environment and weather. The longer it takes to complete restoration, the longer it will be before the land can be turned over for profit.
Furthermore, these traditional technologies are extremely limited by the type of geological material they can treat. This results in up to 30% reject waste, which needs to be documented and listed with the government, adding potentially more hurdles and time to the project. The reject waste also needs to be disposed of via landfill, meaning more carbon emissions, and additional costs.
When embarking on brownfield remediation, choose a technology that is easy to set up, efficient, and reliable, so your timeline doesn’t change. Iron Creek Group’s Enhanced Thermal Conduction (ETC) and Tech Zero Technologies guarantee timelines and remedial endpoints. Treatment is also effective on all soil types and in all weather, so variables that could extend the process are essentially removed.
2. Mitigate The Risk of Costly Mistakes
Earlier, we mentioned the cost of trucking and disposing of reject waste at landfills, but that’s far from the only cost associated with brownfield restoration. While many state and federal agencies have financial incentives in place to aid in redevelopment of these contaminated sites, they may not be enough to fully outweigh or justify the costs.
One of the major costs associated with fixing LUST sites is the need for a highly-specialized team to dismantle and dispose of the infrastructure. Traditional remediation technologies also need a team staffed to handle the technology, often around the clock, which amounts to significant costs.
According to The New York Times, “some developers are reluctant to buy old [gas] stations because of the risk that contamination could be found later and they would be stuck with the cleanup bill.” Traditional soil remediation technologies may not sufficiently treat the contaminated areas, which compounds costs for developers.
Utilizing cutting-edge, patented technology from the very beginning can keep prices down and minimize the need for human oversight, reducing the potential for human error. Both ETC and Tech Zero can offset the risk of brownfield remediation and mitigate the chance of unforeseen costs, especially because they can be fueled by the contaminated, petroleum-impacted soil they’re cleaning.
3. Be Ready With A Plan
It’s understandable for developers to be wary of the hazards that come with petroleum brownfield restoration. However, when you have a plan that includes award-winning, modern technologies, the process is safer and more predictable.
Because ETC and Tech Zero are space efficient and can be set up and fully operational in days, compared with the weeks it takes other technologies, additional leaks can be dealt with swiftly and before significant damage is done.
Many brownfields are in or near populous communities, so there may be a fear of excessive noise. Once ETC and Tech Zero are set up, they are completely static. The lack of moving parts means that they’re safer and quieter, making them much more ideal for brownfield remediation projects.
The EPA states that “over 564,000 UST releases had been confirmed as of September 2021.” With a country that is in desperate need of developable land, it would be unfortunate to let the risks that come with outdated processes deter development. Abandoned gas stations, for one, can be converted to office spaces, banks, retail locations, and even restaurants.
Iron Creek Group’s patented and proven technologies all but eliminate the risks associated with the soil remediation phase of brownfield redevelopment. The efficient and predictable remedial endpoints make brownfield redevelopment more certain.
About Iron Creek Group
Serving North America, Iron Creek Group specializes in developing innovative, nimble technology that solves complex environmental issues. Learn how they’re leveraging technology to challenge the existing remediation paradigm by visiting, https://www.ironcreekgroup.com
For questions and further information, please email Ken Bell: ken@ironcreekgroup.com.