U.S. Department of Energy Role and Transition

The US Department of Energy conceived the Brightfields concept and coined the name. The DOE's role is summarized below:

•  Formulated program concept in 1999 under Clinton/Gore administration

•  Initiated partnership in Chicago in August 1999

•  Funded feasibility study in San Diego in 2000

•  Sponsored competitive grant program in 2000 ($100K nationwide) through State Energy Program and offered technical support to interested communities. Funded three projects in 2001:

•  Massachusetts – Revitalizing Brockton: from Brownfields to Brightfields

•  New Jersey – Cityscape Solar-powered Bed & Breakfast on an Urban Brownfield Site

•  Washington – Hanford Brightfield

•  In 2001, program resources begin to diminish

•  Technical support becomes more limited

•  Program staff reduced from part- time responsibility at DOE HQ to no staffing

•  Regional offices and NREL provide technical support as feasible

•  Mentioned in “Federal Brownfields Partnership Action Agenda” in November 2002 along with project examples

•  Sponsored competitive grant program through State Energy Program in 2004 for “Solar Technology on Brownfields” providing $150K in grant funding nationwide. Funded three projects.

•  Iowa – Cedar Rapids Bohemian Commercial Historic District Solar Development Program

•  Massachusetts – City of Brockton Solar Energy Park: Deploying a Solar Array on a Brockton Brownfield

•  North Carolina – Solar “Brownfield to Brightfields” Technology Demonstration

•  Removed Brightfield program pages from website in 2005, converted to a PDF file: http://www.eere.energy.gov/wip/pdfs/brightfields.pdf

Benefits of Brightfields
U.S. Department of Energy Role
Brightfields Projects Nationwide