Dr. Shannon Ferrell, of OSU, talks about wind energy leases, to a small crowd in Boise City, last Wednesday evening.
by C.F. David
Dr. Shannon Ferrell, is an Agriculture Attorney at O.S. U.
Ferrell traveled to Boise City last Wednesday to answer questions about wind energy and the leases for that product.
Ferrell explained that power from a wind turbine is affected by: air density, swept area, and wind speed.
He continued that doubling the length of the rotor, quadrupled the area swept and the power produced. He added that this explained why the technology was growing where a few years ago, a 3 mw turbine, 500 feet in height was unheard of, but that now, experimental 5 mw turbines are being tested offshore.
Ferrell explained that the reason transmission had and would be built into Cimarron County was because those lines followed population growth but in this case would come for the power.
Ferrell pointed out that in 2002 there was no utility scale wind power in Oklahoma and as of now 830 mw are produced each year. The price for those transmission lines are estimated at $200,000 per mile.
Farrell pointed out that at first any utility building a wind farm and running transmission lines, the profit will be in any tax credits offered. rather than the power sold.
At this time, Texas is number one in wind power production, with California running second; Oklahoma is about eight or nine.
Ferrell said the stagnant economy may be a boon to some companies trying to establish wind farms. Those companies ordering turbines, and having questionable credit, might be moved to the rear and companies with stronger credit moved up to make the sale.
Ferrell said that anyone talking about a wind power lease should expect a large document. They should look and listen about: easements, access, construction, transmission, noise, setbacks, overhangs, encroachment, non-obstructive clauses, and even shadows.
Shelter belts or plans for one might push turbines down the road and onto your neighbor.
Ferrell said that it isn’t unheard of for contracts to run 35 years, but the expected life of a turbine is 20.
He advised to get information on how the turbines might affect CRP, EQIP, or WHIP.
