Wind Farm Regret
A sad and disheartening story of wind farm regret of three Wisconsin farmer’s experiences with wind developers. The first is a personal narrative of Gary Steinich’s dealing with Florida Power and Light near the Wisconsin Town of Cambria. He outlines how he has lied too, sees huge portions of his land taken out of production, fields sub-divided by access roads and cable rights of way, removal of 1000’s tons of topsoil and how he has to ask permission to walk on his own property.
“By signing that contract, I signed away the control of the family farm, and it’s the biggest regret I have ever experienced and will ever experience.”
Gary Steinich, Cambria, Wisconsin. June 2011
An Open Letter to Other Farmers
This is an open letter first posted in 2011. It includes pictures of development taking place and an actual copy of the lease that Gary and his father signed. I truly recommended reading if you’re considering signing a wind farm lease.
The important message here is to hire an attorney experienced with wind lease agreements and land zoning and mineral rights. The link below contains the full story of one family’s experience with wind farm developers. It’s an insightful story.
Wisconsin Farmers Regrets Saying Yes To Turbines
Regrets Continue in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a property rights group called Windlocked LLC has been purchasing wind rights in Southern Minnesota to halt the ongoing development of industrial wind farms.
An interesting note made by one of the farmers who signed a wind lease but now regrets it.
Landowners who sign the Lease only get $55 per acre. If you have a turbine in a 100-acre field, you only get $5,500?! That is less than HALF the going rate that is usually paid. That is NOT enough money to be compensated for the lights, noise, broken tile, and all of the pain associated with a wind farm. Basically it’s only 15 bushels of corn you need to raise per acre to equal the small wind payment, plus you won’t have to worry about hitting it with your spray plane or the crooked road tearing up your fields.
Dan Moore, Farmer and former windfarm developer and concerned citizen
Sources
Better Plan, Wisconsin – BADGERS FOR A BETTER RENEWABLE ENERGY PLAN
Former Wind Developer Now Regrets His Involvement in Wind Energy
Related Wind Farm Stories
- Wind Energy Growth – 2016 Survey Shows Huron County Divided
- 2012 – Wind Secessionists Looked to Carve Up Lake Township in Huron County Michigan
- Michigan Wind Farm Map
- The Detroit Zoo has a Plan to Go 100% Renewable
- 4 DIY Renewable Energy Projects You Can Do in a Weekend
Reblogged this on 4timesayear's Blog and commented:
May have posted this before – but it’s worth a re-post
Thanks for stopping by.
Much appreciation for posting – I was looking for the essay and was having a difficult time finding it!