Jordanville, New York, July 3, 2025
Photo: jordanville.org
A major wind energy project in upstate New York has sparked opposition from a historic Orthodox monastery, with Church leaders warning that the development threatens both the spiritual atmosphere and natural beauty of their sacred grounds.
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary, a National Historic Site in Herkimer County, finds itself at the center of controversy as Terra-Gen Energy moves forward with plans for a massive wind farm that would surround the monastery property. The proposed project would span approximately 75,000 acres across six towns in Herkimer and Otsego counties, featuring 74 wind turbines.
This marks the second time in recent years that His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse, who serves as abbot of the monastery and rector of the seminary, has had to mobilize opposition to wind energy development near the historic site—in February 2023, he issued a similar statement regarding plans for a windmill directly behind the Holy Trinity property.
His Grace’s latest statement, published on June 28, reads:
Terra-Gen Energy, a renewable energy developer, is surrounding the properties of Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary, a National Historic Site registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rolling Hills Wind, LLC (Rolling Hills Wind), a subsidiary of Terra-Gen, LLC (Terra-Gen) is planning the development of the Rolling Hills Wind Project (Project) in the towns of Warren, Stark, German Flatts, Little Falls, and Danube in Herkimer County, and the town of Springfield in Otsego County, New York. The Project, as currently proposed, will have a rated capacity of up to 250 megawatts (MW), spanning an approximately 75,000-acre area with a preliminary layout of 74 wind turbines. The Project qualifies as a large-scale (25 MW or larger) renewable energy project. A siting permit is required from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) for construction purposes.
There are currently leases signed covering 14,322 acres in the Towns of Warren, Danube, German Flatts, Columbia, Springfield, Stark, and Little Falls.
We ask all of you to pray for our success in the struggle to preserve the Monastery and Seminary from this intrusion into the natural beauty of our surroundings, its effect on the spiritual life of our community, and the negative impression it will have on the many pilgrims seeking solace here.
Please sign and send the letters to our local Assemblyman and State Senator expressing your opposition to the project and its impact on HTM.
If you are from elsewhere in New York, send a letter to your local representatives. Write to your US Congressman and US Senators for their support. Stay informed about local developments and projects, as you may find yourself in a similar situation in the future.
+ Bishop Luke of Syracuse
Abbot and Rector,
Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary
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