Monthly Archives: October 2016

U.S. Supreme Court to take up Eminent Domain Compensation this Term.

The case: Murr v. Wisconsin

The Compensation issue: Can compensation under eminent domain be impacted by a regulation. In the case, a regulation leads to the devaluation of contiguous property because it is owned by the same land owner.

9 States have taken the side of the property owner:  Nevada, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming

9 Other states have taken the side of Wisconsin: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusettes, Maine,…

Rural Land Use. Solar Farms. 4 Legal and Legislative issues.

  • Solar Leases vs. Mineral Rights. A lease could put a landwoner in conflict with mineral rights
  • Agricultural Tax Exemption Goes Bye Bye.  Solar farms do not qualify.
  • No Agriculture. Solar panels don’t allow for the same agricultural use of land that oil and gas and wind turbines allow.
  • No settled solar law. Oil and gas has 90 years of law and case law to settle disputes. Soalr is a new issue.

Texas Observer | A New Solar Rush Creates Legal Minefield for Landowners