Comments on: Research and Resources: wind leases, transmission lines http://blog.climateandenergy.org/2008/03/10/research-and-resources-wind-leases-transmission-lines/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: climateandenergy http://blog.climateandenergy.org/2008/03/10/research-and-resources-wind-leases-transmission-lines/#comment-3654 climateandenergy Tue, 26 May 2009 14:12:19 +0000 http://climateandenergy.wordpress.com/?p=211#comment-3654 This is not really an answer, as much as an educated guess - the rule of thumb would depend on a few factors, including the voltage of the line (they require different setbacks - ie, extra high voltage lines take more land) and whether or not there are maintenance roads, etc. Also, does that transmission line interfere with other, possibly more valuable (or differently valuable) uses of the land. it might even be a question as to whether transmission lines make certain uses of the land more valuable. These are all things a good lawyer should be able to sort out. Anytime a landowner's rights are compromised, that landowner has a right to adequate compensation for the loss of said rights. Negotiating transmission compensation is not a whole lot different than figuring out a wind contract. One big difference, however, is that transmission lines sometimes involve eminent domain (although no one seems to like to go there), while wind farms are usually private development and do not. Transmission planning, siting, and cost recovery are also part of several pieces of federal legislation right now, and the outcome could conceivably affect the use of eminent domain. Eminent domain has the potential for an unpredictable effect on negotiating compensation. Eminent domain seems to be an issue more on the coasts rather than in the middle of the country (so far), but if national legislation is passed, that could affect everyone. This is not really an answer, as much as an educated guess – the rule of thumb would depend on a few factors, including the voltage of the line (they require different setbacks – ie, extra high voltage lines take more land) and whether or not there are maintenance roads, etc. Also, does that transmission line interfere with other, possibly more valuable (or differently valuable) uses of the land. it might even be a question as to whether transmission lines make certain uses of the land more valuable.

These are all things a good lawyer should be able to sort out. Anytime a landowner’s rights are compromised, that landowner has a right to adequate compensation for the loss of said rights. Negotiating transmission compensation is not a whole lot different than figuring out a wind contract.

One big difference, however, is that transmission lines sometimes involve eminent domain (although no one seems to like to go there), while wind farms are usually private development and do not. Transmission planning, siting, and cost recovery are also part of several pieces of federal legislation right now, and the outcome could conceivably affect the use of eminent domain. Eminent domain has the potential for an unpredictable effect on negotiating compensation. Eminent domain seems to be an issue more on the coasts rather than in the middle of the country (so far), but if national legislation is passed, that could affect everyone.

]]> By: Jane http://blog.climateandenergy.org/2008/03/10/research-and-resources-wind-leases-transmission-lines/#comment-3648 Jane Sun, 24 May 2009 16:13:46 +0000 http://climateandenergy.wordpress.com/?p=211#comment-3648 Is there a rule of thumb about just how much of a burden the transmission line construction and maintenance is to the person farming the land around the transmission lines? Is there a rule of thumb about just how much of a burden the transmission line construction and maintenance is to the person farming the land around the transmission lines?

]]> By: clayton stambaugh http://blog.climateandenergy.org/2008/03/10/research-and-resources-wind-leases-transmission-lines/#comment-783 clayton stambaugh Sun, 04 May 2008 21:46:13 +0000 http://climateandenergy.wordpress.com/?p=211#comment-783 no comments yet, just more info. no comments yet, just more info.

]]> By: Tim http://blog.climateandenergy.org/2008/03/10/research-and-resources-wind-leases-transmission-lines/#comment-320 Tim Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:02:13 +0000 http://climateandenergy.wordpress.com/?p=211#comment-320 Great post and a valuable recommendation Mr. Rosenhagen. The easy way to profit from wind is to lease your property to a large wind developer and receive royalty payments, however, it is not the best way. Community-based and/or cooperatively owned wind projects bring significantly more money to local economies. If you have a windy property, do not jump at the first sign of greenbacks. Look to your neighbors, talk to your co-op and local businesses. Look to the Danish model of cooperative wind before selling the wind to BP or another energy giant. Great post and a valuable recommendation Mr. Rosenhagen. The easy way to profit from wind is to lease your property to a large wind developer and receive royalty payments, however, it is not the best way.

Community-based and/or cooperatively owned wind projects bring significantly more money to local economies. If you have a windy property, do not jump at the first sign of greenbacks. Look to your neighbors, talk to your co-op and local businesses. Look to the Danish model of cooperative wind before selling the wind to BP or another energy giant.

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