To: Tri-County Press

From: Committee of Landowners working with Wind Capital Group

Gene Runde
Mike Timmerman
Tom Kunkel

LANDOWNERS STATEMENT ABOUT THE WHITE OAK WIND PROJECT

There are 40 plus landowners in the townships of Smelser, Paris and Hazel Green who are very interested in working with Wind Capital Group to complete development of the White Oak Wind Farm project. We are currently working with the developer to write a lease agreement that takes into consideration the potential issues of health and safety.

The developer is cooperating in good faith with landowners as we work together to develop contractual terms that are acceptable to all parties of this business agreement.

The community needs to understand that we all have an opportunity to gain from the creation of the White Oak Wind Farm. The landowners will earn additional revenue from their property through contractual lease agreements with the developer. The county and township will earn significant revenue in lieu of taxes through state requirements enacted in 2003 Act 31, guaranteeing income to the host municipalities.

When the development is completed, Grant County will earn $400,000 a year and is required by state law to share 40% of this windfall with the host townships. Smelser Township is currently slated to have ½ of the turbines so they will receive $80,000 per year. Paris and Hazel Green Townships will each host ¼ of the turbines and will each receive $40,000 a year.

In these challenging economic times, the landowners ask the community to consider all of the facts before reacting negatively to this unique opportunity. Through development of the White Oak Wind Project, our community has an opportunity to participate in the reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels.