Finally we are retiring back to West Texas where I grew up. The trip this weekend was interesting, with a high load and 44 MPH winds pushing back on the windshield. Gave me a new insight into gas prices with sub 10 mpg for the trip out.
Once there and unloaded, I admired the new wind generators going up everywhere, From Abilene to past Sweetwater along interstate 20, from Roscoe up 84 to past Snyder, the Fluvanna mesa is covered with generators, even Big Spring is getting wind generators. Family members are attending meetings to talk about allowing 3 MW generators on the property and the resulting income to be had. It makes the high rough hills out beyond the pastures worth some money for a change. With $1,000 income per generator, a lease for the high scrubland can make over $20,000 per month.
Of course, the down side is that land prices have shot up, land that 5 years ago was 250 an acre is now 800 - 2500 per acre and rising. But the real shock was in reading the paper for a site to build. Now a thing call wind rights is cropping up, people will sell land but want to retain wind rights, much like mineral rights in the past.
Once home, I looked on the Internet and found that this idea is not new, just new to me. Even worse is eminent domain, where the government can force you to allow some company to build wind generators for the public good. I love the concept of wind power, but now I fear my little 16 footer will get lost in the shadows of the giants.