Production of Wind Energy and Agricultural Land Values: Evidence from Pennsylvania

Chris Shultz, Joshua Hall and Michael Strager
Additional contact information
Chris Shultz: West Virginia University, College of Business and Economics
Michael Strager: West Virginia University, Division of Resource Management

No 15-11, Working Papers from Department of Economics, West Virginia University

Abstract: Given the push toward renewable and alternative energy, a new energy mix is emerging. Wind is the fastest growing source of renewable electricity in the United States. The siting of wind turbines has proven controversial with multiple operations facing local resistance. Opponents cite issues such as noise, bird deaths, and aesthetics. Given that farmer portfolios are heavily comprised of land assets, the possibility that surrounding wind energy operations may reduce agricultural land value is of concern. This study examines that possibility using a hedonic regression analysis comparing per acre land value to a series of land characteristics and distance variables for Somerset County, PA. Results indicate no significant relationship between the presence of wind turbines and the value of agricultural land. This confirms the findings of similar studies which have examined the same relationship.

Keywords: wind energy; hedonic regression; agricultural economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q14 Q15 Q18 Q42 Q43 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 13 pages
Date: 2015-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-ene
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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