On Wednesday, several of my classmates and I went to a talk Bill Mckibben gave on the potential of science and engineering to protect against the effects of the climate crisis. McKibben mentioned the moratorium on wind turbines in Vermont, an attempt to preserve the state’s rural, picturesque image. As one of the most liberal states in the country, it’s shocking that Vermont would give up a potentially game-changing weapon in the fight against climate change. Compared to Vermont, upstate New York is considerably more conservative. However, New York’s need for sustainable energy sources is much greater than that of Vermont. Implementing wind-energy, especially in beautiful places, is a complex, multi-faceted issue. It’s more important to focus on the long-term goal of reducing climate change than more immediate, superficial interests. 

In 2019, New York legislators passed a law promising carbonless energy by 2040. The state’s population is significantly urban, which means renewable energy relies on its rural regions, like Adirondack Park, for spacious wind and solar farms. 

Unlike Vermont, New York state doesn’t have restrictions on wind power at the moment. However, a 20 year old Adirondack Park Association policy prohibits structures over 40 feet without special approval (wind turbines tend to reach about 300 feet.) This means that the only wind farms in the area are outside the park’s boundaries. Aside from bureaucratic obstacles, Park residents and environmental groups have presented numerous concerns in relation to wind energy. Windmills would be most successful on mountain tops, which would obstruct views and require land to be cleared. Doing so would decrease tourism appeal of the area, hurting an already struggling economy. Further, employees for a wind farm would likely have to be brought in from outside the area, since local residents aren’t trained in the field. As it is, wind power in the Adirondacks isn’t feasible. 

Jericho Mountain windmills outside of the Park by Sirberlinnh

All this is not to say that there haven’t been renewable energy efforts within the Park. Like windmills, solar panels tend to take up large tracts of land and detract from the landscape. Luckily, they don’t have the same height as windmills, and as a result, multiple solar fields are in the works within the Park. New York has long been a leader in hydroelectric power, and there are dozens of successful plants to this day. 

Solar farm powering Gore Mountain Ski Area in the Adirondacks Photo by Cindy Schultz

The arguments against implementing wind energy farms in Adirondack Park would have made sense 30 years ago. Today, the climate crisis has never been more urgent. It’s time to concede hopes of preserving romantic rural landscapes for the sake of our earth as a whole.