Ask Questions Before Signing a Contract

Source: Steinich Farms | Flyers, Information, Law, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

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GET INFORMED BEFORE SIGNING! ASK QUESTIONS!

Does signing an Option Contract lock me in with a developer for turbines, whether I want them or not?

Is the original contract term 50 years? How long is the developer’s option to extend?

Will my children and grandchildren be tied to the contract after I’m gone?

How much of my land will the wind turbine developer have 100% access to for building roads, placing buried and above-ground transmission lines, and installing turbines?

Will the developer have the option to move existing or install new turbines and transmission lines at its discretion at any point during the life of the contract?

Will I be required to get permission to build a structure or plant a tree over 25 feet tall anywhere on my land?

Can I build a residence on my land if there’s a turbine on it?

Will my contract state that I cannot speak poorly of the developer about the projects on my land or any other of the developer’s projects?

Will I be allowed to hunt on my property? What about burning my fields? Aerial spraying?

How can I be guaranteed the developer will be responsible for maintaining and then removing the turbines and restoring the property 50 or 90 years from now?

If I purchase adjoining land, am I required to sign that over for development as well?

Can the lease of my land be sold to another company and/ or used as collateral for financing?

If I or my family have health issues resulting from wind turbines, will I have the option to sue the developer for failing to disclose these issues?

If you are considering signing a wind lease, take the contract to a lawyer. Go over every detail. Find out exactly what can happen to your fields, find out all the developer will be allowed to do to your land. Go through that contract completely, and think hard before making your decision.

I can tell you from first-hand experience, once you sign that contract, you will not have a chance to turn back.

Steinich Farms, Inc.
Cambria, WI

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