Alternative Future of Revitalizing Decommissioned Coal-Fired Power Plant Sites: An Alternative Scenario Approach in Trenton, Michigan

Abstract

Land revitalization is considered a beneficial, yet costly, process. The importance of land revitalization is underpinned by the fact that past land uses may contaminate land, with remediation being required for future land uses (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2023). In some cases, sites that contain pollutants and contaminants pose a direct threat to human health, so treatment of contaminated sites is important (Haninger et al., 2017). Brownfield sites are a widespread example of land contamination. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a brownfield as “a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” (Haninger et al., 2017). In the U.S., many hazardous sites are no longer operational but remain unremediated (Alberini et al., 2005). The environmental risks posed by these sites vary with relatively few highly contaminated areas and a large and diverse set of small scale, lower risk sites (Eckerd & Keeler, 2012). Nevertheless, widespread pollution from previous industrial activities has driven detrimental human health effects, especially in urban areas. Remediation and redevelopment are needed to support the sustainable transition of brownfield sites and increase urban ecosystem services (Hou et al., 2023). This project presents a possible future scenario for a site with a likely contaminant history: the former Trenton Channel Power Plant (TCPP) located in Trenton, Michigan. Trenton is within Wayne County and is located downriver from Detroit (Figure 1).