Small Town News

Potential wind farm near Rolette gaining interest

---

Citizens from Rolette gathered last Wednesday evening to learn more about the potential of a wind farm in the community.

Don Metzger, a development director with Just Wind, visited with about 75 residents to answer questions and gauge further interest in wind development in southern Rolette County.

Representatives from Just Wind, a wind farm development company based in Napoleon, had earlier gathered in Rolette on December 16 to pitch the idea of a wind farm to the community. Judging by a map of the Rolette area -- which was marked in yellow indicating local parties who were indeed interested in leasing land for this project -- there was a good number of landowners who believe the wind farm is a good idea. The map looks like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces; those "pieces" are landowners who are either not interested or have yet to voice their interest in the project.

"There's a couple here that didn't get added," Metzger said, referencing the map. "With the interest from tonight's meeting, we'll put (a new map) together and start on the studies on the computer without having to come up here. Within the next month and a half, or two months, we'll have an answer for you."

However, if there is a particular area that shows a keen interest, Metzger added, residents may know within a couple of weeks.

The exact size of the wind farm is indicative of the level of participation, Metzger said. With the available acreage, a computer program will help to generate the best location for the turbines.

On the average, a quarter section of land can contain one to three 2.3 megawatt turbines maximum.

If all goes according to plan, construction can start in the spring.

"There's a couple of areas that look really good," Metzger said. "I guess I don't know how many for sure are on (the map). Do I think it could happen? Yes, very easily. If that happens, there's a group right now in the southern half of Rolette."

Just Wind is offering a payment of $2 per acre to landowners interested in leasing land for the project; those who have turbines placed on their land will get an additional $4,000 per turbine, per year, with an escalation of two percent every year, Metzger said.

"Some of the companies we've seen give $6,000 per turbine, per year for the life of the turbine," Metzger said, noting that those companies do not offer escalation rates.

In addition, those who participate in the project will also receive a pool payment, in which participants will receive a percentage of the power generated by the turbines.

"We put everybody in the project," Metzger said. "Along with that, if you don't get a turbine, that two dollar per acre payment still stays with you for the life of the turbine."

While signing up to participate does not will away the landowners' ability to continue previous land-related activities, such as agricultural or recreational use, or to access mineral rights below the surface -- the lease is only applicable for above ground -- it does set limitations on construction. The erection of a grain bin or barn, for example, must be conferred with Just Wind, in order to ascertain whether or not it could interfere with the wind.

"We can't tell you that you can't build something on your property," Metzger said. "They will ask you to not build within 30 feet of the (turbine). Again, that's where the state has regulations (on the distances allowed between turbines and roads, or turbines and houses)."

It also does not prohibit landowners from selling their property. Metzger noted that the lease stays with the land owner.

"If you're going to sell your property and you have a turbine on it, that is a deal you make with the new owner. We have nothing to say about that," Metzger said.

Another boon for the community will be that the wind farm could create jobs.

"Depending on how many turbines are out there, you can expect 15 to 20 full-time jobs for technicians who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Metzger said. "They range from clerical to mapping. They work with the land leases. That will be the life of the project. Just Wind likes to have satellite offices; that's what we've been planning in every town."

During the construction process, Metzger added, "companies we've talked to say 100 to 300 people... will come work on the project."

Currently, Just Wind has five wind farms in operation throughout southern North Dakota.

"Depending on how many turbines are out there, you can expect 15 to 20 full-time jobs for technicians who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They range from clerical to mapping. They work with the land leases. That will be the life of the project. Just Wind likes to have satellite offices; that's what we've been planning in every town."

Don Metzger, Just Wind development director



Copyright 2010 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Turtle Mountain Star