News Coverage Highlights Opposition to Wind Project Near Holy Trinity Monastery

JORDANVILLE, NY — Holy Trinity Monastery and local residents are opposing the proposed Rolling Hills Wind Project in Herkimer County, New York, citing concerns about its impact on monastic prayer, nearby farms and local authority. John Rich, appointed Special Envoy for American Landowners, visited Jordanville to explore ways to support the monastery’s efforts against the development.

The project, led by Terra-Gen, LLC, proposes 90 wind turbines. Archimandrite Nektarios Harding of Holy Trinity Monastery said 17 turbines would be close enough to affect the monastery, although that number had been reduced from an earlier plan for 45 nearby turbines.

Monastery members say vibrations and inaudible infrasound from the turbines could disrupt prayer. Local residents, including Amish farmers, have also expressed opposition, citing the turbines’ proximity to their homes and agricultural land.

Jaimie Deines, a local farm owner, said one Amish farmer on Fish Creek Road would face four or five turbines directly across the road. Emily Murray, supervisor of the Town of Freemont, said she had moved out of her home because she believed infrasound from turbines had made her sick.

Opponents also criticized New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), which can override certain local laws to facilitate renewable energy projects. Janet Glocker of Residents United to Save Our Hometown argued that state renewable-energy legislation had undermined constitutional protections for local control and agriculture.

Rich pledged to bring wider attention to the dispute, saying the meeting would reach national news and social media. He described the situation as “ridiculous and overbearing and, in my opinion, unconstitutional.”

Previously, the UOJ reported that Holy Trinity Monastery was to hold a roundtable with a Trump administration envoy.