Clinton Wind Repowering Project: Balancing Agricultural and Renewable Energy Interests

Strategic Insights -

The Clinton Wind Repowering Project, documented by the New York State Public Service Commission, aims to strike a balance between agricultural land use and renewable energy production. The project site, covering approximately 96,098 acres within the 5-mile Study Area, includes lands enrolled in state-certified agricultural districts and agricultural value assessments. The site's design and construction plans must consider the preservation of agricultural land uses, with over 45% of the 5-mile Study Area and 89% of the Facility Site comprised of lands enrolled in agricultural districts. As climate change impacts agricultural production, wind energy-generating facilities can provide economic benefits to landowners and support continued farmland use.

Key Takeaways:

  • Approximately 45% of the 5-mile Study Area and 89% of the Facility Site are comprised of lands enrolled in state-certified agricultural districts.
  • Agricultural lands in the Facility Site and 5-mile Study Area are primarily used for other hay/non-alfalfa, grassland/pasture, corn, and alfalfa.
  • The proposed Facility can be financially beneficial to agricultural landowners through lease payments or sale of land for wind facility components.
  • The Agricultural Districts Law encourages the continued use of farmland for agricultural production by limiting local regulation, modifying public agency acquisition, and providing Right to Farm provisions.
  • The Facility Site includes six parcels enrolled in the agricultural value assessment program, totaling approximately 531 acres, and 317 parcels within the 5-mile Study Area are enrolled in the program (22% of the 5-mile Study Area).

Statistics:

  • 96,098 acres comprise the 5-mile Study Area.
  • 45% of the 5-mile Study Area and 89% of the Facility Site are comprised of lands enrolled in state-certified agricultural districts.
  • 531 acres within the Facility Site are enrolled in the agricultural value assessment program.
  • 317 parcels within the 5-mile Study Area are enrolled in the agricultural value assessment program (22% of the 5-mile Study Area).
  • 24,242 acres associated with these parcels are enrolled in the agricultural value assessment program within the 5-mile Study Area.

Sources:

  • New York State Public Service Commission: Clinton Wind Repowering Project Matter No. 23-03032 1100-2.16 Exhibit 15 Agricultural Resources (08/12/2025)
  • New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Law: SS 303-b, SS 305-A
  • New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: 2021 Agricultural Value Assessments (New York State)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Cropland Data Layer (2023)
  • Trvst: Financial Benefits of Wind Energy for Agricultural Landowners (2023)
  • Malhi et al.: Climate Change and Agriculture (2021)