Valuation Issues for Wind and Mineral Surface Development Rights As wind energy has emerged as a leading source of energy, several issues have arisen with respect to the rights of parties holding surface and mineral rights. There are important legal issues that need to be explored to assess whether to develop a wind energy farm. This article provides a historical and brief legal overview of the issues. By the mid-19th Century, the effects of the Industrial Revolution had created a need for a cheaper and more convenient fossil fuel than coal: petroleum. Edwin Drake had drilled the first oil well…