Background

EPA Region 5 developed the RENEW Award to recognize outstanding efforts in the reuse of Superfund sites that strengthen communities and advance environmental protection.

Eligibility

The RENEW Award can be given to local, state, tribal, federal or private-sector partners who have demonstrated excellence in working cooperatively with Region 5 to support safe and responsible cleanup and reuse, especially those that promote innovative and sustainable reuse outcomes.

Evaluation Criteria for RENEW Award

• Consideration of and effect on the local community and partners
• Enhancement of the selected remedy
• Consideration of long-term implementation of the selected remedy and its impact on the environment
• Implementation of sustainable practices
• Innovation in creative thinking
• Demonstration of outstanding environmental stewardship

Site Award Winners

On April 9, 2014, EPA celebrated the grand opening of the Maywood Solar Farm on the Reilly Tar & Chemical Corp. (Indianapolis Plant) Superfund site. The 10.86-megawatt facility is one of the largest utility scale solar farm on a Superfund site in the country, and the first such installation in Region 5. EPA Region 5 honored developer Hanwha Q CELLS with the first-ever Region 5 Renew Award in recognition of their commitment to the safe and beneficial reuse of this Superfund site. Awards will continue to be granted to sites meeting part or all of the above eligibility and evaluation criteria.

• 2014: Reilly Tar & Chemical Corp. (Indianapolis Plant)
  Reuse snapshot