Over the next week or two, we’ll be breaking down the wind lease that Swift Current Energy (via Black Cherry Wind Power LLC) is offering to landowners across McKean County. A local landowner who has not signed the agreement — and asked to remain anonymous — shared a copy of the full lease with us. After reviewing it in detail, we believe every landowner and resident in the area needs to see what’s actually inside. These posts will walk through the real contract terms — what they say, what they mean, and how they could affect your land and family for generations.

 

We’re not speculating or fearmongering — we’re reading the lease line by line. And we’re starting with the part that shocked us the most:

 

The length of the agreement.

At first glance, it looks like a 30-year lease. But once you dig into the fine print, you realize the deal gives Swift control of your land for 67 years by default — and possibly forever.

 

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Step 1: The 7-Year “Option Period”

 

“Option Period: 7 years from Effective Date.”

 

Swift can hold your land for 7 years before they commit to anything. During that time, they can come onto your land, clear trees, dig, test soil, and install equipment — but you can’t cancel. Only they can.

 

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Step 2: The 30-Year Lease Doesn’t Start When You Think

 

“Commencement Date: When commercial electricity sales begin.”

“Extended Term: 30 years from the Commencement Date.”

 

The 30-year clock doesn’t start after the 7 years. It starts when they choose to start selling electricity. That could be 2, 6, or 12 years after signing. There’s no deadline in the contract to start operations.

 

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Step 3: They Get Three 10-Year Extensions — Automatically

 

“Renewal Terms: Up to 3 additional 10-year terms, at Lessee’s option.”

 

Only Swift gets to decide. You don’t. You’re locked in.

 

Now do the math:

 

– 7 years (option period)

– + 5 years (construction delay, let’s say)

– + 30 years (lease term)

– + 30 years (extensions)

= 72 years. And it might still not be over.

 

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The “Forever Clause” Hidden in Plain Sight

 

“Easements and rights remain valid while any part of the Project remains in operation.”

 

Even if the full lease term passes, you don’t get your land back if one turbine, road, substation, or power cable is still operating. That clause gives them indefinite rights as long as anything is still running.

 

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They Can Replace or Repower Turbines Without Asking You

 

“Install wind turbines… and related equipment.”

 

That includes replacement equipment. If a turbine breaks in year 40, they can install a new one and keep operating well past 72 years — all without a new lease.

 

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Hypothetical — But Totally Realistic

 

You sign in 2025.

They do nothing for 6 years.

They build and start selling power in 2032.

In 2047, they replace the turbine.

In 2057, 2067, and 2077, they extend the lease.

Now it’s 2087.

The turbine is still running.

And you and your kids are still bound by the lease.

 

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This isn’t just a long-term lease. It’s a forever deal in disguise.

 

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And Once You’re In — There’s No Getting Out

 

“Agreement may end due to expiration, mutual agreement, Lessee notice, or uncured default.”

 

Translation? You don’t have the right to terminate unless Swift agrees or they mess up badly — and then refuse to fix it.

 

What counts as “default”? Either:

– They don’t pay rent for 60+ days, and

– You give them written notice, and

– They still don’t pay

or

– They violate the agreement in a serious way, and

– You give written notice, and

– They still don’t fix it after 60+ days

 

“Lessee may release land portions during the term and is not obligated to pay rent for released portions.”

 

They can walk away from parts of your land whenever they want. You can’t.

 

This means that even if Swift never builds anything — or builds and walks away — you’re still bound by the lease unless they agree to end it. The burden is always on you to prove default, give notice, and hope they don’t “cure” it with a vague fix.

 

You are locked in. They are not.

 

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If you or someone you know is thinking about signing this lease — please, seriously consider having a qualified lawyer review it first. This is not a simple 5- or 10-year agreement. This is a decades-long, near-permanent deal that could impact your land, your livelihood, and your family for generations.

 

This contract shows clearly that once these wind projects start, they aren’t temporary. They’re designed to last 50, 60, even 70+ years. That’s why now is the time to act — to speak up, to share the truth, and to show that McKean County does not support being overrun by outside corporate energy interests.

 

Keep the power for NY in NY — not dumped on Pennsylvania’s back.

Sign and share the petition: change.org/blackcherry

 

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Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and this post is not legal advice. We are professionals familiar with contracts and are sharing this analysis to inform and protect our local community. Landowners should consult an attorney before signing any agreement. All information is based on a real lease offered in McKean County and is accurate to the best of our knowledge