Howard & Howard Attorneys

Assist Landowner Group with

Wind Leases

February 03, 2011

by energy-attorney

One of the biggest challenges wind generated energy faces is its distance from the load to be served:  Wind energy is primarily generated in rural areas, while demand for the electricity is typically located many miles away in large urban areas.  New transmission lines are often necessary to connect the source with the demand.

That reality is in the process of playing out in the Thumb of Michigan’s lower peninsula.  While some of the best inland wind resource is along the northern shore of the Thumb, existing transmission can not support the wind energy that can be generated there, which is estimated to be between roughly 3,400 – 4,500 Megawatts.   Consequently, ITCTransmission, a privately operated company which owns the transmission facilities in Michigan, has sought the Michigan Public Service Commission’s approval to construct a 140 mile long, 345 kV double circuit transmission line which would permit the wind energy potential of the Thumb to be unleashed.

Unfortunately, landowners focused on leasing their property to wind developers don’t typically think of the transmission lines that may soon follow and the conflicts that can be created.  For example, while the footprint for turbines is relatively small (2 – 3 acres, including supporting area for things like access roads), transmission lines pose the threat of new poles in fields and overhead conductors which might interfere with farming operations.  More...