Environmental Consequences of the Bethlehem Steel Mill Redevelopment Project

This internship provides an opportunity for students to conduct research on and analysis of various environmental impacts resulting form the construction and future operation of the Sands Bethworks Casino. This redevelopment project is currently underway at the site of the old Bethlehem Steel Mill, located along the Southside of the Lehigh River near the Stefko Blvd. Bridge. Students interested in studying the environmental impacts of the forthcoming casino can select a research focus from among various different topics. These topics include but are not limited to the following:

• What is the expected increase in local demand for energy that will result from the casino's operation? How would attaining this energy from renewable sources change the expected carbon dioxide emissions?
• What are the plans for preserving the Steel Mill's blast furnaces and how might the historic value of these furnaces best be presented for public viewing?
• How can local officials, governance bodies, and land-use rules influence the environmental impacts created by the current construction and future use of the Bethlehem Steel Mill as a casino?

Students will be required to submit a report and/or give a presentation on their project at the end of the semester. They will conduct independent research and analysis of data gathered. The project may involve interviews and working with various forms of data. Social science research skills will be developed.

This can be used towards Social Science Credit.

For more information contact Breena Holland brh205@lehigh.edu or George Yasko gby0@lehigh.edu.