Reuse Considerations for Data Centers on Brownfield Sites
Pursuant to the Executive Order on Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure, EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program has assembled the information below. The information on this page is intended to help brownfield stakeholders (e.g., community members, property owners, local, state or Tribal government leaders, potential developers, etc.) learn more about what to consider when evaluating whether a brownfield site can be redeveloped into a data center.
A large brownfield site with existing infrastructure and zoned for industrial reuse may be an attractive candidate for redevelopment into a data center that supports artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.
Site reuse as a data center can bring jobs, new tax revenue and other benefits into a community through thoughtful planning and engagement, careful alignment to site cleanup standards, proper maintenance of engineering controls, and incorporating conservation and environmental protection practices.
On this page:
- Site Information
- Criteria and Considerations for Data Center Development
- Brownfields and Land Revitalization Guides and Tools
Site Information
Redevelopment Mapper for Superfund and Brownfield Sites
A community that is interested in attracting a data center can refer to EPA's Redevelopment Mapper for Superfund and Brownfield Sites to help screen for suitable site characteristics on a brownfield or Superfund site. The Mapper provides site locations and options for adding data layers that highlight site features and site surroundings.
Quick start instructions for using the mapper.
The Mapper includes brownfield sites in EPA’s ACRES database that are over 100 acres with no reported redevelopment. Properties reported in ACRES that are smaller than 100 acres and those with redevelopment activity can be found in EPA’s Cleanups in My Community tool.
A data center on brownfields in Forest City, North Carolina
An example where EPA funds for Brownfields activities supported data centers as a site reuse is in Forest City, North Carolina. Meta converted two adjacent brownfield sites into a data center. These sites were previously used for textile and manufacturing operations. EPA funds for Brownfields assessment activities and the State Response Program supported the site reuse.
Criteria and Considerations for Data Center Redevelopment
Responsible siting, thoughtful planning and engagement, careful alignment to site cleanup standards, proper maintenance of engineering controls, and incorporating conservation and environmental protection practices are critical for making these projects a success.
The resource below summarizes initial criteria to consider when evaluating whether a brownfield site can be redeveloped into a data center.
Guidance on the Redevelopment of Superfund and Brownfield Sites as AI Data Centers (pdf)
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Guides and Tools
The following guides and tools can help a community through the site reuse planning and pre-development stages of the brownfield site redevelopment process.:
- Local Officials' Guides – This website offers several documents to help mayors, council members and other local leaders find practical resources to plan and drive brownfields cleanup and reuse.
- How States, Tribes and EPA Work Together – This webpage explains how states and Tribal Nations are responsible for developing Brownfields cleanup standards and policy and conducting or overseeing assessment and cleanup of Brownfield sites in their jurisdictions. EPA provides funding to help establish or enhance state and Tribal response programs.
- Forecasting Benefits and Public Returns for Brownfield Redevelopment – This document is a getting-started guide to understanding the potential for economic benefits and public returns in brownfields reuse.
- 15 specific planning activities – This webpage can help a community’s site reuse goals align with local economic, infrastructure, social and environmental conditions, and determine which reuses are feasible for the site.
- The Preparing Your Plan for Site Reuse guide helps a community evaluate the financial feasibility of different Brownfields revitalization scenarios.
- The Anatomy of Brownfields Redevelopment guide explains the Brownfields cleanup and reuse process from the real estate development perspective.
- The Creating a Brownfields Investment Package guide explains how to compile relevant site information into a highly visual communications and marketing document.