Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of a solar farm on reclaimed land at the former Somersworth Sanitary Landfill in New Hampshire. This project represents the first instance in the state where a Superfund site is being repurposed into a solar array.
The 2,577 kW-DC / 1,992 kW-AC solar photovoltaic project is projected to generate 3,523,443 kWh in its first year and over 67 million kWh over two decades. The renewable energy produced will benefit hundreds within the Somersworth community.
"We applaud the site team for their diligent work to clean up this portion of the site – and recognize the transformative decision of the City of Somersworth to repair the harm and invest in the health of their community and environment," said EPA New England Chief of Staff Sanjay Seth. "We thank our state and federal partners for their resolve and dedication to help make this project happen."
"Making smart investments in our clean energy infrastructure is a critical step to ensuring we continue to lower costs for Granite Staters while putting our nation on the road to a more sustainable energy future," said U.S. Representative Chris Pappas. "I was glad to join federal, state, and local partners in Somersworth this afternoon to break ground on the future site of this new solar array."
"Superfund sites, like the former Somersworth Sanitary Landfill, present unique challenges for Granite State communities and are often left vacant despite their high potential for redevelopment," noted U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. "I'm thrilled that with the help of federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, the City of Somersworth is breaking ground on a solar farm that will both repurpose their former landfill and also provide clean energy to the community."
"New Hampshire is continuing to modernize our infrastructure, including through building a new solar array at the former Somersworth Landfill," stated U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. "This new solar array will help our state build a clean energy future that will also help lower energy costs – and by finding a way to make use of this unoccupied land, it is another example of New Hampshire's innovation and ingenuity."
"This Solar project is an important step towards increasing sustainability efforts in our Somersworth Community and aligns with other similar efforts in our Region and in our State," said City of Somersworth Mayor Matt Gerding.
EPA plans ongoing collaboration with local authorities to monitor progress at the site.
For more information about this initiative or contact details: www.epa.gov/superfund/somersworth.
Background
Located about one mile southwest of downtown Somersworth on Blackwater Road, this 26-acre landfill accepted municipal and industrial waste from around 1930 until its closure in 1981. Waste-burning activities ceased earlier in 1958. Groundwater contamination with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) led EPA to list it as a Superfund site in 1983.
Following cleanup measures initiated under EPA oversight—including installation of an innovative chemical treatment wall—the city utilized portions for recreational purposes until facilities were mostly discontinued by 2011 due mainly due concerns regarding contamination risks until today’s landmark redevelopment initiative began.
