From Coal Dust to Wind Gusts: A Pennsylvania Project's Green Blueprint

SILVER SPRING, MD – July 22, 2026 – In the rolling hills of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, a new kind of energy is rising from the legacy of an old one. Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) has officially commenced commercial operations at CPV Rogue’s Wind, a 114-megawatt wind farm built upon thousands of acres of former coal mine land. The project, representing a $300 million investment, is more than just another addition to the grid; it is a powerful case study in how to transform industrial brownfields into productive, green assets, while simultaneously driving local economic growth and strengthening regional energy security.

With 19 towering Vestas turbines now spinning, the facility will generate enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 32,000 homes. But its true impact lies at the intersection of technological innovation, community integration, and strategic finance. As the nation grapples with the complexities of the energy transition, the CPV Rogue’s Wind project offers a tangible blueprint for progress, demonstrating that environmental remediation and economic prosperity can be two sides of the same coin.

A New Chapter for Old Mines

The decision to site a state-of-the-art wind farm on a former coal mine is a deliberate strategy that is gaining traction across the country. This practice, known as brownfield redevelopment, is actively encouraged by federal programs like the EPA's RE-Powering America's Land initiative. Instead of developing on undisturbed greenfield sites, it repurposes land already impacted by industrial activity, offering a host of environmental and economic advantages.

For CPV, this is the third renewable project built on former mining land, solidifying its expertise in this niche. The 6,000-acre site in Cambria and Clearfield Counties provided existing infrastructure, including access roads and proximity to grid connections, which can significantly reduce a project's cost, timeline, and environmental footprint. By breathing new life into these post-industrial landscapes, the project helps conserve pristine natural areas and prevents sprawl. The environmental turnaround is stark: the clean energy generated is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by an amount equivalent to taking nearly 29,000 cars off the road each year.

“This project encapsulates how CPV approaches land development and integrates into our local communities. CPV Rogue’s Wind not only repurposes former coal mining land but seamlessly works alongside an existing ATV park, promoting the natural features of the region,” said Mike Resca, EVP of CPV Renewable Power. “This project represents a $300 million investment into the region and benefits Clearfield and Cambria Counties along with the Commonwealth.”

Powering the Local Economy and Community

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project's most significant impact may be on the ground in Cambria County. The $300 million capital investment created hundreds of construction jobs, with White Construction utilizing local contractors for the build-out. Now operational, the wind farm is projected to generate over $150,000 in new annual revenue for local municipalities, providing a stable, long-term funding source for public services.

This project is the third major CPV facility in the county, following the CPV Fairview Energy Center (natural gas) and CPV Maple Hill Solar. This long-term presence has allowed the company to build deep community ties, supporting first responders, STEM education, and local food banks. The integration of the wind farm with the Rock Run Recreation Area, a popular 140-mile ATV park, is a unique example of this partnership model. Riders can now navigate trails that lead directly to the base of the massive turbines, creating a novel recreational experience.

“CPV is a welcomed addition and valued partner to the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority,” said Tom Kakabar, Chair of the authority. “This project will generate new revenue; it has already created hundreds of construction jobs and helps support our natural resources. It’s a win-win.”

This sentiment is echoed by those directly involved with the park. “CPV went about this with the right attitude and understood the importance of bringing the local community into their plans as the project came together,” said Pat Leyo with Rock Run Recreation Area. “This will be an added experience for our riders, being able to go right to the base of the tower and see wind energy being generated.”

Fortifying the Grid in a Critical Market

The 114 MW of new capacity from CPV Rogue’s Wind feeds into the PJM Interconnection, the largest electricity market in North America, serving 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. Adding reliable, utility-scale renewable sources is critical for maintaining grid stability as demand grows and older, less efficient power plants are retired. The project aligns with Pennsylvania’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, which seeks to balance reliability and affordability with sustainability goals.

“Pennsylvania remains a strong partner to CPV, and our activities reflect the state’s ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to address energy demand and help foster opportunities for new power projects,” said Sherman Knight, CEO of CPV. “Alongside our existing natural gas-fired and solar facilities in the county, Rogue’s Wind underscores CPV’s commitment to developing the diverse energy infrastructure needed to support growing demand.”

The project comes online as Pennsylvania policymakers consider measures like the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) to accelerate in-state clean energy generation, making projects like Rogue’s Wind a vital component of the state's future energy landscape.

The Financial Architecture of a Green Transition

A project of this scale is not possible without a sophisticated financial structure. CPV partnered with Harrison Street Asset Management, a leading infrastructure investor, and secured crucial tax equity financing from U.S. Bank. This model highlights the financial mechanisms that are accelerating the energy transition.

Tax equity financing is a cornerstone of renewable energy development in the United States, allowing project developers to monetize federal tax credits by partnering with institutions that have large tax liabilities. U.S. Bank is one of the nation's most active investors in the sector, and its involvement signals confidence in the project's viability. Meanwhile, Harrison Street's role as an investment partner reflects a growing trend of institutional capital flowing into essential, long-term infrastructure assets that support decarbonization.

“CPV Rogue’s Wind demonstrates how thoughtful infrastructure investment can generate lasting value for communities while supporting the evolving needs of the electric grid,” said Carolyn Arida, a Partner at Harrison Street Asset Management. This partnership between a developer, an institutional investor, and a major bank provides a robust, replicable model for funding the multi-trillion-dollar energy transition.

As part of a larger 4.8 GW renewable development pipeline for CPV, the Rogue's Wind project is not an isolated success but a key part of a broader strategy, proving that the path to a decarbonized future can be paved with economic opportunity and strong community partnerships.