BY ELIZABETH AHLIN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER Oct 16, 2008
HAMBURG, Iowa - The sight of 40-ton blades turning in the wind means different things to different people. To some, wind farms are a boon for rural economic development. For others, they are a sign of hope for renewable energy. And, as area farmers are finding out, they can mean thousands of dollars in the pockets of rural landowners each year.
But, experts say, read the fine print. Under some contracts with wind developers - contracts ranging from 30 to 180 years - rural lands could be affected for generations to come.