Hoffman Falls Wind Project

Towns of Eaton, Fenner, Nelson, Smithfield | Madison County
Generating local, clean electricity compatible with the region's rich agricultural heritage.

Hoffman Falls Wind Project

Community Benefits

As the Project advances, we remain committed to responsible development, open communication, and being a responsive community partner. Here are answers to key questions, along with information to learn more about our proposed benefits.

Overview

Clean, Local Power for Central New York

The Hoffman Falls Wind Project is proud to work within Madison County to bring clean and cost-effective energy to Central New York. With a longstanding history at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, the region is uniquely situated to harness an abundant wind supply, turning a local natural resource into renewable, affordable energy. The power will be interconnected locally to the New York State electric grid, directly servicing communities throughout Madison County.

Farm Central New York
109.8 MW Planned renewable capacity
Project Details

About the Hoffman Falls Wind Project

Located on private land within the Towns of Fenner, Nelson, Smithfield, and Eaton, the Project comprises up to 18 wind turbines and will generate enough electricity to power about 20,000 homes annually.

Utilizing the latest advanced technology, the Project wind turbines are designed for maximum safety, durability, and efficiency - and they are more highly compatible with agricultural land than ever before. The Hoffman Falls Wind Project is expected to use approximately 30 acres of land total upon operations, supporting ongoing farming activities and livestock grazing throughout the life of the Project.

18 Wind Turbines
4 Host Towns
109.8 Megawatts
20,000 Homes Powered Annually
Project Notice

Start of Construction

Civil construction activities for the Hoffman Falls Wind Project will begin October 5, 2026.

Project Layout

Carefully Planned Across Four Host Towns

The Project layout includes wind turbines, access roads, underground collection lines, and related electrical infrastructure across participating private properties.

The layout reflects environmental studies, engineering requirements, agricultural operations, landowner input, community feedback, and New York State permitting standards.

Hoffman Falls Wind project layout map in Madison County, New York
The Hoffman Falls Wind Project facility layout in Madison County, New York
Expected Timeline

Project Development and Operations

01
2020–2026

Development

Final Siting Permit issued by New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) 12/2025; minor update approved 03/2026.

02
2026–2028

Construction

Construction activities began in October 2026 and will continue in phases, with expected completion in 2028.

03
2028–2053+

Operations

Projected operational life of around 25 years.

Community

The Heart of Every Great Energy Project

At Liberty Renewables, we listen to local priorities. We believe successful projects begin with communities and the lasting relationships we build.

“I've had the opportunity to work closely with Liberty Renewables' staff. Their engagement with the community has been consistently positive and meaningful.”

Benjamin Eaton, NY

“As a farmer in New York I fully support the Hoffman Falls Wind Project. Wind turbines have very low surface area impact and provide many benefits to the local landowners that are involved in the project. Landowners and farmers will have more money to reinvest in their land and community.”

Daniel Fenner, NY

“As a landowner in the Town of Eaton, I believe this [Project] will help off[set] some of our tax increase[s] at a time when we’ve had a severe downturn in agricultural prices.”

Todd Eaton, NY

“I am a local business owner, volunteer firemen, and a farmer. We have taken care of our land for generations before me and we will be preserving it for generations to come. We believe this [Project] is just another way to help care for the land and environment.”

Cole Smithfield, NY
Community Survey

Positive Public Reception

  • A third-party survey of 400 residents across the four towns hosting the Hoffman Falls Wind Project found strong awareness and support for the project.

  • 94% of respondents said they are familiar with the Project, while 71% expressed positive feelings toward its development.

  • We are grateful to have the community's support, and we remain committed to delivering an economically, socially, and environmentally valuable project for current and future generations.
Community Survey
Project Benefits

Empowering Rural Communities

Here's how the Hoffman Falls Wind Project is expected to deliver lasting local value.

Investing in Local Communities

  • ~$25M in new revenue for the towns, schools, emergency services, and Madison County over 20 years through proposed PILOT and Host Community Agreements
  • At least ~$1M in community grant funding over 20 years for charitable initiatives benefiting the four towns
  • ~$1M in electric bill savings shared by eligible households over 10 years
  • Support for student scholarships and historic preservation initiatives

Creating Opportunity for Local Families and Businesses

  • 70+ construction jobs, in addition to long-term operations and maintenance roles
  • Ongoing opportunities for local suppliers, contractors, and service providers
  • Annual lease payments to 50 local families and landowners
  • Helping participating farms remain productive through predictable long-term revenue

Delivering Long-Term Regional Benefits

  • Infrastructure sited to support continued agricultural use while minimizing environmental impacts
  • Enough renewable electricity to power ~20,000 homes annually
  • Supporting New York's energy supply and long-term energy affordability
  • Long-term environmental and air quality benefits for the region
Local. Renewable. Abundant.

Why Wind Energy?

Wind energy transforms an abundant local resource into reliable electricity and lasting community benefits.

Affordable Renewable Energy

Providing reliable energy from a resource that's local, renewable, and abundant.

Supporting Agriculture

Carefully sited to keep local farms productive while creating an additional source of income for participating landowners.

Strengthening Rural Communities

Bringing new investment, jobs, and long-term economic opportunities to the communities that host the project.

Meeting Growing Energy Demand

Delivering low-impact energy to help power homes, businesses, and a rapidly expanding economy.

A Smart Energy Future

Advancing energy independence and strengthening grid resilience through local power generation.

Powered by a Natural Resource

Sustainable, zero-emission power that offers environmental protection without burning fuel or depleting resources.

About Liberty Renewables

New York Experience. Local Partnerships. Long-Term Commitment.

Since 2019, Liberty Renewables has worked alongside New York communities to develop projects that solve real-world energy challenges. By partnering with residents and local leaders, we’re focused on strengthening local economic development and building long-term value for the region, while delivering the clean energy the public demands.

New York State-Based

Focused on clean-energy projects that serve New York communities and support the state's evolving energy needs.

Founded in 2019

Established to pair renewable-energy development with rural economic growth and responsible environmental stewardship.

Experienced Leadership

Guided by more than 20 years of renewable-energy industry experience and a team committed to responsible development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious About the Project?

Answers to common questions about the Hoffman Falls Wind Project, local benefits, agriculture, safety, wildlife, and construction.

Still Have Questions?

Our project team is available to help.

What happens during project construction?

Construction of the Hoffman Falls Wind Project is now underway, delivering on a promise to bring 109.8 MW of renewable electricity to Madison County. General construction, including tree clearing and grubbing, civil construction, and electrical collection system installation is scheduled to start on or about October 5, 2026. General construction will continue in phases through 2026 and 2027, with a brief winter shutdown anticipated.

Liberty Renewables and its contractors are committed to upholding a smooth and safe construction process, coordinating with local municipalities, highway departments, emergency service providers, and state agencies throughout construction. As construction advances, residents may notice large construction equipment, trucks, and workers in the area. Designated construction routes and traffic control measures will be used to help ensure public safety, organization, and protection of local roads.

The project is being constructed in accordance with its New York State Article VIII Siting Permit requirements, a Road Use Agreement with the local municipalities, and approved environmental protection plans, such as erosion and sediment controls, protection of wetlands and streams, spill prevention procedures, and agricultural impact mitigation measures, among others. Following construction, temporary work areas will be restored in accordance with permit requirements, including restoration of agricultural lands, vegetation, and other disturbed areas. Overall construction is expected to be completed in 2028.

To help keep the community informed, the project website will be updated to include regular contractor communications, such as two-week look-ahead schedules and daily Plan of Day materials when available. The project team encourages residents to be in contact with any questions or concerns

What is the Hoffman Falls Wind Project?

The Hoffman Falls Wind Project is a proposed wind energy generation facility with up to 18 wind turbines located across private land in the Towns of Fenner, Nelson, Smithfield, and Eaton in Madison County, New York. The Project received its Final Siting Permit from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) in December 2025, with a modification approved in March 2026. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 and last approximately 12-18 months. The Project is an investment in New York's clean energy future while respecting to the region's agricultural heritage and rural landscape.

Will the Hoffman Falls Wind project affect farming operations?

The Project has been designed to work alongside the agricultural heritage that defines Madison County. Because wind turbines require a relatively small physical footprint-typically less than one acre each-most of the surrounding land can continue to be used for farming and livestock grazing. In total, Project equipment is expected to utilize approximately 30 acres of land, allowing the vast majority of participating properties to remain productive working farmland while also generating clean, renewable energy.

How much of the Project's power will be available to the host community?

The Hoffman Falls Wind Project will first serve nearby homes, businesses, and industries, with any remaining electricity flowing throughout the broader interconnected grid to help meet regional energy needs. Once operational, the Project is expected to generate enough renewable electricity each year to power more than 20,000 homes, contributing to a reliable, locally sourced energy supply for communities across New York State.

What impacts do wind turbines have on local birds, bats, and other wildlife populations?

Protecting the natural environment is an important part of the Hoffman Falls Wind Project. Among utility-scale energy sources, wind energy has one of the lowest impacts on wildlife and habitat, and no significant population-level impacts have been documented for any single species because of wind energy development. To help ensure responsible project design, Liberty Renewables works with independent environmental experts to conduct comprehensive studies and assessments throughout the development process.

How does Liberty Renewables evaluate health and safety measures for wind projects?

The New York State Article VIII permitting process requires thorough health and safety evaluations. Liberty Renewables creates Site Security and Safety Response Plans for each project with input from local first responders and provides annual emergency response training. Liberty Renewables' projects comply with strict setback and related requirements set by New York State regulations and wind turbine manufacturers. Understanding and complying with these setbacks allows the project teams to mitigate:

  • Sound Levels: Sound levels produced by wind turbines fall in the range of 35-45 decibels when heard from 1,000 feet away, which is typically no louder than an average residential refrigerator.
  • Shadow: In addition to residential setbacks, factors like season, time of day, wind conditions, topography, and cloud cover naturally limit shadow from wind turbine blades interacting with the sun, which is most common around sunrise and sunset. Any possible shadow will always comply with state regulations.
  • Ice: To reduce the risk of ice shedding from turbine blades in the winter months, Liberty Renewables implements cold climate technology solutions recommended by turbine manufacturers and in compliance with related state regulations.
What impact will the Hoffman Falls Wind Project have on property values?

Multiple large-scale studies have found no evidence of widespread long-term declines in rural property values from wind energy projects. Homes located within 1-2 miles of a commercial wind turbine in some cases experience a temporary, minor property value decrease that rebounds after construction is finished. Homes located farther than 2 miles away remain unaffected.

Contact Us

Have Questions About Hoffman Falls Wind?

Contact our team for information about the Project timeline, community benefits, construction, or landowner participation.

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