RANCHERS/FARMERS RAISE WIND CROPS

Another one of the many, many ways wind energy makes sense (and cents -- no, that would be DOLLARS!). Is "wind energy" the answer to "How do you save the family farm?"

Landowners Cash In On Wind Power
July 13, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Western and Midwestern farmers and ranchers, utilities and wind energy developers
Free-Range wind. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Wind energy is growing at 28%/year and people with land in rural regions, farmers and ranchers, are signing revenue-producing deals with utilities allowing turbine and transmission installations.

WHEN
2003: Colorado Green Wind Project on land leased from farmers.

WHERE
Colorado has 6 million wind-rich acres, especially on its eastern plains.

WHY
- Lease agreement: $3,000 - $6,000/turbine. Many projects pay according to kilowatts produced.
- Lease deals also are available for public land, to the benefit of taxpayers.
Colorado: Home on the Range for cattle ranchers and wind farmers. (click to enelarge)

QUOTES
- Jan Johnson, spokeswoman, PPM Energy: "We are kind of limited on what we can say about these arrangements -- we don't tend to discuss our private arrangements…
- John Stulp, Prairie Wind Energy LLC: “It's a win-win for everyone involved -- now I know there are some contracts out there with higher amounts. I've heard of payments up to $5,000 per turbine per year, but a lot of that depends on the size of the turbine and the company…It's a pretty good trade to get that amount of revenue…"