Some central North Dakota residents who own land along the proposed route of a transmission line for coal-generated electrical power say they want to be compensated for their potential loss of income from future wind turbine easements.
Chris McShane, an attorney hired by Farm Bureau, says such compensation hasn't been done before in land easements for electric transmission lines. He tells The Bismarck Tribune that if the effort is successful in North Dakota it could be used in other states.
Minnkota Power Cooperative spokesman Mike Hennes says the idea would set a precedent and isn't being considered. He says wind-generated power also requires transmission infrastructure, so projects could be compatible rather than competitive.
