Texas is well on its way to being the "Energy State,” with multiple sources of energy actively being harvested in addition to traditional oil and gas. One of the fastest growing types of renewable energy is wind power, and Texas is well-positioned to capture it. Does...
Texas Energy Law Blog
US solar industry: Solar installations will quadruple by 2030
If you own land in Texas, you should know that the solar industry is actively seeking locations for solar arrays. It’s a fact that could be potentially lucrative for you if you are interested in hosting a site. Indeed, the industry itself says that it plans to...
Will my property taxes jump if I add a wind farm or solar array?
Wind and solar energy projects are highly lucrative. That’s true for the energy companies, and it’s true for individual property owners who lease their land to these projects. That profitability can increase your land’s value which, in turn, could drive up your...
What if the energy project on my land damages my property?
If an energy company has contacted you about a pipeline or other energy project on your land, you may be wondering what could go wrong. For example, what if there were a major storm that damaged the project infrastructure? What if there were an oil spill or a...
Can you challenge property condemnation in Texas?
As Texas continues to grow, its need for basic infrastructure continues to grow. The need for roads, highways, rail lines, energy pipelines, electric transmission lines and other public projects has led the state to delegate its power of eminent domain to certain...
Can I have more than one energy lease on my property?
Is it legal to lease your land to more than one type of energy company? Yes, it is. In order to protect yourself, you will need clearly drafted accommodation agreements. When you sell or lease part of your land to an energy company, you are probably going to use some...
What are the major clauses in a solar energy lease?
If you have been approached to lease part of your land for a solar array, you may have many questions. Chances are you have no background in solar energy. You don’t know what would constitute a good deal. You don’t know what contract terms are necessary to protect...
Asked to sign a solar lease on your land? Read carefully.
Rapid improvements in solar technology, combined with certain investment tax credits, have created a rapid expansion in the solar energy field. Indeed, the Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that solar power will account for almost half of the total...
Eminent domain does not mean you have no rights
If an energy company has approached you to buy or lease your land, you may have heard that these companies have the power of eminent domain in Texas. This is true. Eminent domain is the government’s power to force landowners to sell their land, if necessary, for a...
What rights to my land am I giving a solar developer?
When the time comes to lease part of your land to a solar developer, you want to be certain you understand what you’re giving up. It depends in large part on what you negotiate in your lease. Generally, solar developers are granted the exclusive right to use the part...
