2025: Simulating Capacity for Ecosystem Services from Solar Facilities on Abandoned Minelands in Southern Appalachia (TNC)
The Starfire Renewable Energy Center is being built in Appalachia, at one of the largest former coal mines in the country. Siting renewable energy infrastructure on marginalized lands, such as minelands and brownfield sites, is a broadly popular idea; however, the technical expertise to realize co-benefits such as natural hazard risk mitigation and solar grazing is lacking. This collaborative project between Cornell University and The Nature Conservancy researchers seeks to inform, through the 3C’s (climate, conservation, and community) the site design and permitting of the project. Starfire offers a unique opportunity to simulate restoration pathways to achieve multiple sustainability objectives, allowing for optimization of operational solar facilities on minelands to benefit rural communities.
Cornell: Steve Grodsky (Cornell CALS/ Natural Resources and the Environment; USGS) and Ginger Allington (both Cornell CALS/Natural Resources and the Environment)
TNC: Liz Kalies, Nathan Cummins