Repurposing Abandoned Mine Lands and the Clean Energy Transition

Payne Institute and Mines Advanced Energy Systems student researcher Peyton Sanders writes about how thousands of abandoned mines across the US are now becoming potential sites for clean energy projects and revitalized communities. The DOE’s Clean Energy Demonstrations on Current and Former Mine Land Program aims to boost the economies of the traditional fossil fuel communities and expand clean electricity capacity by demonstrating up to 5 clean energy developments on abandoned lands. Replication across the country could generate up to 89 gigawatts of additional power for American homes. This will not only give back to communities that powered the country for generations before, but to also allow them to play a significant role in the energy transition moving forward.  October 4, 2022.