The headline probably wouldn’t raise an eyebrow for New Yorkers and many Americans; but for others, the word “solar” combined with “fresh kills” may seem a little curious.
It refers to Fresh Kills Landfill; a garbage dump at New York’s Staten Island. The odd name is derived from the dump’s location on the banks of Fresh Kills estuary in western Staten Island.
Covering a total of 2,200 acres, the landfill was opened in 1947 as a temporary arrangement but wasn’t closed until 2001 – although it was used afterwards as a sorting area for 2 million tons of rubble resulting from the 9/11 attacks.
An incredible amount of garbage was transported to Fresh Kill Landfill during its time. According to Wikipedia, 13,000 tons of garbage were dumped at the site each day at the peak of operations and by 2001, the landfill was 25 meters higher than the Statue of Liberty,
The Fresh Kills site has a greener future – it is being transformed into reclaimed wetlands, recreational facilities, landscaped public parkland and for generating clean electricity.
Last week, the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced it will bring wind and solar power to Fresh Kills and is seeking proposals for the long-term lease of approximately 75 acres of land.
“The creation of new renewable energy opportunities will help build the City’s green economy, not only leading to job creation and economic investment, but also ensuring the sustainability of our City,” said NYEDC President Pinsky.
The NYEDC says solar and wind power will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants; particularly during hotter summer days when demand for electricity forces the activation of inefficient “peaker” plants in the city, some of which burn heavy fuel oil. Heavy fuel oil generates even more carbon dioxide emissions than coal – around 3.2 kilograms per litre burned.
It’s expected solar and/or wind farms constructed at the Fresh Kills site will supply enough electricity to power at least 6,000 homes.
