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Nebraska Farmers Union encourages landowner wind farm associations

As wind energy continues to develop in Nebraska, it’s important for landowners to “read the fine print” when dealing with wind project developers.

That advice from Graham Christensen, public affairs director for the Nebraska Farmers Union. He encourages farmers and ranchers to consider organizing local landowner wind farm associations.

“What this does—and it’s something we really encourage people to thinkabout in different areas that are interested in wind farm development—it protects people and landowners and farmers and ranchers from maybe getting the short end of the stick on these wind easements,” Christensen says.

Christensen says the wind associations can bringcommunities together to discuss what’s best for them.

“What model of wind energy they might want to use—what’s best for their community,” he says, “and also it makes them look a little bit more marketable in the eyes of people in utilities that might beinterested in buying their wind energy.”

Christensen says wind associations put individuals and communities in a better position to negotiate with large wind developers.