Sep. 2, 2026
New research finds that renewable energy and agriculture can co-exist without harming rural economies
COLUMBIA, Mo. (Sept. 3, 2026) – Utility-scale wind and solar projects provide rural economic gains without weakening local agricultural economies, according to a study released today by the Center for Rural Energy Security (CRES), a rural focused think tank at the University of Missouri. The nationwide research report, “Powering Rural Prosperity: The Local Economic Impact of Utility-Scale Wind and Solar Developments,” puts data to a critical debate in rural communities across America: whether hosting renewable energy infrastructure harms local agriculture. Analyzing extensive data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics,…
