Adam has recently completed an independent research project through the U.S. Fulbright program. Over the course of 9 months, he explored the potential for renewable energy projects on brownfields within First Nations communities across Canada. He specifically focused on sites managed by Indigenous Services Canada within FCSAP’s Phase IV (2020-2024), encompassing 376 brownfields located within 155 communities. Through this project, he explored current gaps in the Canadian Brightfield research space and quantified the potential benefits of such redevelopment in terms of environmental justice (as measured by job creation, community investment, health benefits from the reduction in diesel usage, lower energy prices, increases in energy security and reliability), mitigation through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and conservation by preserving greenfield land. His research deliverables included an academic paper and a GIS Mapper similar to the EPA’s Re-Powering America Mapper, a tool he hopes will be utilized to connect communities, government, and developer stakeholders. Furthermore, he hopes to inform government funding of such projects in future FCSAP funding rounds. His work is supported and encouraged by Christopher De Sousa at Toronto Metropolitan University, Indigenous Services Canada and the FCSAP program, and the Canadian Brownfields Network.
Adam received his undergraduate degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He studied Environmental Studies and Art History, and wrote an undergraduate thesis on the potential uses of brownfield redevelopment within the context of New York State’s landmark 2019 sustainability law, the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Upon graduating, he worked with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as a community engagement consultant within their Build-Ready program. Build-Ready examines large-scale, difficult-to-redevelop brownfields across the state and provides assistance to renewable energy developers looking to reuse these sites for energy projects. Adam then worked at UGE, a solar developer, as the manager of West Coast and Brownfield development within the company.