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What I learned living with wind energy
Sherrie O’Brien
Apr. 2, 2024 8:51 am
The best way to learn is from experience, or from someone who has had experience. Here are some things I learned about renewable energy from hosting a wind project on my land.
The easement payment for having a wind turbine, transmission lines and an access road on my land was about the same amount as the yearly payment for our combine. This income is guaranteed every year no matter what weather or markets do and it helped keep farming operations in the black.
According to The American Clean Power Association website, Iowa farmers and landowners received $73.4 million dollars in lease payments for 2023. That’s helping a lot of farmers keep their operations in the black.
I’ve also learned that some Iowans have been swayed to not support renewable energy. It is sad to see considerable portions of the state taking away these opportunities from consenting landowners because of loud anti-wind groups. Misinformation has led to opposition of our natural resources — wind and sun.
With excessive restrictions and moratoriums, some fellow Iowans are missing out on the opportunity for guaranteed income that can help keep generational farms afloat. Let’s not forget the massive tax revenue our counties would miss out on, including funding for public schools, revitalization projects, and emergency services in small towns and rural areas.
Iowa County was fortunate we had county leaders who developed an ordinance that allowed landowners to voluntarily host projects on their property while including appropriate setbacks and protections for those landowners who chose not to host.
I am no longer an owner of any land with a wind easement, so I no longer benefit financially from it. I have 10 turbines about a mile or so from my home, the closest is ½ mile away. All of them are on neighbor’s land and I supported their right to host turbines on their property near me.
It would be more efficient and beneficial to communities if siting requirements for renewable energy were more consistent statewide, rather than vary so much from county to county. I encourage our state’s leaders to expand access to renewable energy in Iowa and leave the decision making to landowners.
Sherrie O’Brien lives in Victor.
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