WIND POWER EDUCATION FOR LANDOWNERS
Extension Education
Francis Hay
EXTENSION EDUCATOR
LINCOLN
Abstract
Exuberant expansion of wind power development has led to a rush in land leasing for future development. Wind leases are long, complicated legal documents with many important issues which can affect landowners for many years. Issues of great importance include; payments, duration, definitions, indemnification and liability issues, decommissioning, crop damage and hunting rights. Landowners need experienced legal advice to understand and negotiate contracts. University of Nebraska-Extension has led a charge, educating landowners through targeted live presentations, web seminars, radio and print media. Through extension efforts at least three landowner associations have formed and have begun collective bargaining with developers. Although contracts are private and details unknown, extension’s impact is major. On just one wind farm with 20,000 acres under contract the possible scope of impact includes; eyes wide open negotiations between developers and landowners with legal counsel, even a $1.00 per acre increase in options phase could lead to $200,000 in payments to landowners over the 10 year option, if royalties increased by $500 and an inflation escalation clause added the estimated value is $10 million dollars to landowners over the life of the contract. Currently UNL Extension has taught more than 750 landowners representing hundreds of thousands of acres with wind development potential. Extension outreach went beyond landowners partnering with the UNL College of Law and Nebraska Bar Association to train 40 Nebraska attorneys in wind law. Educated landowners and attorneys can work together to ensure land lease contracts for wind development benefit and protect all involved.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: F.J. Hay, R.W. Pryor
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Hay, F. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Biological Systems Engineering Department, Nebraska, 68583
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Pryor, R. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Saline County, Nebraska, 68465