Chances are you don't want to buy a building that had PERC spills and EPA just chomping at the bit to hit the new owner with environmental cleanup costs, that might be way more than the building is worth. 

I just don't have the patience to wait four years and spend 6-figures for environmental studies on a 1-MW, four-acre project.

Or figure out how projects are developed and get one "most of the way" (land leased, site planned, permitted, power purchase agreement signed) and then sell the deal to a big developer.My perspective: My W2 for the last 8 years is environmental and development consulting for oil & gas, renewables generation, transmission, and commercial RE development.

I don’t know anything about running gas stations but if you do, I recommend getting extensive insurance coverage for environmental land contamination. 

Look for cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceilings, as these may suggest settling or shifting.Additionally, keep an eye out for pest infestations, particularly termites or carpenter ants, which can cause significant damage to wooden structures.Lastly, be aware of environmental concerns such as radon levels and underground oil tanks, which can pose health risks.Having a qualified home inspector conduct a thorough evaluation is essential.

Most significant are environmental issues centering around past or present leakage of petroleum products into the ground. 

Most people outside the profession don’t understand the time and capital it takes to make a project come to fruition.Before a single piece of equipment touches the ground, there are years of government meetings, environmental and site assessments, engineering studies, etc.Each step requires significant time, effort, and capital investment.But when done right, it creates a ton of value and transforms communities, which is why I love it.

And last but not least any environmental issues can be a big hassle.

Most times, the due diligence period is used for you to bring out your inspector to physically test the property (environmental, structural, roof, etc.) 

Kern County, California, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking environmental initiative thanks to a pilot project by Avnos Inc.