Austin attorney Craig Byram says there are several important things for landowners to know if they are considering putting up a turbine on their land.

1. "This is not going to change their life."

Byram warns that the $5,000 to $10,000 stipend per turbine per year that landowners receive is a nice addition to their income, but it won't allow retirement or dramatically change the way that the landowners were living before the turbines.

2. "I recommend that they talk to their neighbors."

The developers want a large area of contiguous land, not little islands and pieces, so it is better to meet with neighbors and find out if they are interested. That way the landowners will be able to band together and have increased negotiation power.

3. "They should become as educated as they can about wind energy."

Byram suggests going online or even talking to him about wind energy. "No one expects a farmer to know anything about wind energy, because no one has ever done this before, and no one has had to know. But educating yourself is good," so, if approached, you are knowledgeable.

4. "No matter how this works out, it is always going to be their decision on whether this is going to be something that they want to get involved in."

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