What is the A-TWG?

The New York State Agricultural Technical Working Group (A-TWG) is an independent advisory body to the State of New York and other participating entities to steer efforts in advancing renewable (primarily solar) energy development across scales in a responsible way that supports New York State’s agricultural operations, lands, farmers, and communities. It is comprised of agricultural land and farmer advocates, solar developers and operators, non-governmental organizations that focus on clean energy, climate, and environmental protection, local government officials, academic experts, and state agencies.

Mission

The A-TWG provides advice and guidance to assist the State and other stakeholders in understanding and managing the potential interactions between renewable energy development and agricultural lands and operations. This will involve the development of collaborative processes for identifying and addressing stakeholder-driven priority issues relating to the goals of accelerating siting of renewable energy, while also protecting the State’s agricultural economy, operations, lands, farmers, and communities.  

A-TWG Objectives

  • Bring together science and socio-economic subject matter expertise to develop collaborative advice, guidelines, or other products that ensure protection of the State’s agricultural land and farm economy while also advancing the State’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

  • Enhance communication and coordination between State agencies, local governments, NGOs, and solar developers to encourage a two-way flow of information; discuss roles and limitations; and identify and potentially address priority issues relating to renewable energy (primarily solar) development and agriculture.

  • Improve our understanding of, and ability to manage for potential effects of renewable energy (primarily solar) development on agriculture in New York State.

  • Support and, where possible, provide direction to prioritize scientific and technical research and analysis to advance understanding of key issues related to agriculture and solar energy project planning, siting, construction, operation, monitoring, or related topics.

  • Reduce risk and uncertainty for developers by improving clarity in expectations and processes for monitoring and mitigating agriculture-related impacts.

Charter

The Charter describes the mission, objectives, and tasks proposed for the Agricultural Technical Working Group. To learn more, view the A-TWG Charter [PDF].

 

Announcements

NYSERDA releases Growing Agrivoltaics in New York State. View the web page about this announcement by clicking here.