Farmers in Huron County, Michigan wanted wind turbines on their land, but they didn’t want developers to pit one against the other. So they came up with a formula for “Community Payments” – that would compensate farmers who might not get a turbine, or as may turbines, due to engineering or other constraints.
“Community Payments” are a common feature of the most successful clean energy projects, insuring that local residents see a tangible return on the new project in their community. There are different formulas and flavors, but I recently heard of a developer nearby offering residents in the project footprint a $3500 annual payment, with an inflation escalator clause.
Aaaagh! Socialism!