wind development
Always Seek Legal Advice -- BEFORE signing Land-Leases
Wind development can be a BIG benefit to you as a landowner, BUT be careful NOT to sign land-lease agreements immediately. Phillips County Economic Development (PCED) encourages landowners to seek their legal counsel’s advice prior to signing any land-leases agreements offered by a wind development company. With “green” energy development, such as wind, solar, and biomass projects, on the rise across western Kansas, it is more important than ever for landowners to take precautionary measures in protecting their landowner rights before making long term commitments to any development company. A typical pressure tactic by some questionable company representatives visiting landowners in person has been, “If you don’t sign now, your neighbor may get the development and not you.” Because of the potential for additional income, sometimes it’s hard to wait for the agreement to be reviewed. But in the long run, your decision to make a “pause” may save you a lot of heartache. Tapping our local wind resources as a commodity will be positive for our county. It has the potential to help our landowners, create development activities, create jobs and create potential financial resources for our school districts. The PCED committee and its staff look forward to having wind development within Phillips County. Our intent and goal for providing this notice is to protect Phillips County landowners from speculators or inexperienced representatives of newer wind development companies. For more information visit our website at www.DiscoverPCED.com or call our office at 785-543-5809.
Posted by: Jeff Hofaker – PCED Director
Renewable Energy Standard
In the age of higher energy costs and ways to utilize more green energy, Kansas has made the step forward to help renewable businesses consider developing in Kansas. This helps everyone in Kansas, including Phillips County. As stated in a press release from Governor Parkinson’s office,
“Prior to this year, Kansas was falling behind many other states in the production of cleaner energy. More than two-thirds of the country had a Renewable Energy Standard, and Kansas was one of only six states not to allow net metering. With this legislation, we are no longer at the back of the line,” Parkinson said. “The nation’s energy challenge provides the opportunities for a ‘made in America’ energy program, and Kansas is ready to be a leader in that effort. We look forward to the new jobs, more wind power and the stronger economy that will be a result of this legislation.”
Senate Sub. for HB 2369 enacts the Renewable Energy Standards Act, which codifies the goal of major Kansas utilities generating 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2011, 15 percent by 2016 and 20 percent by 2020. This legislation also enacts the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act, which enables customers to use their own generation and sell back the extra electricity they produce to their utility. Additionally, this legislation enacts new law regarding fuel efficiency for state-owned motor vehicles and energy efficiency of state-owned and leased space and equipment. This legislation goes into effect after its publication in the Kansas Register.
After hearing the questions many times, “Does Kansas have a Renewable Energy Standard?”, at an international energy conference by wind manufacturers and developers; PCED is very happy to see this legistion get passed. With the beginnings of a wind development project in our county, the timing could not be any more perfect.