Documents
Category:
Noise
Staff recommends WV PSC deny siting permit for Liberty Gap Wind Force
May 16, 2007
by West Virginia Public Service Commission
Excerpts below are from the May 16, 2007 Proposed Order of WV PSC denying Liberty Gap's application for CPCN (siting permit) for 50 wind turbine project atop Jack Mtn in Pendleton County:
Also filed under [
General|
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Bats|
Impact on Views|
Erosion|
Zoning/Planning|
West Virginia]
The following testimony was given on April 30, 2007 to the Maine legislature by Wendy Todd of Aroostook County, Maine. Ms. Todd lives near the Mars Hill wind "farm,” which went on-line in the winter of 2007. An excerpt of her testimony is included below. The full testimony can be downloaded by clicking on the link.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Maine]
Evidence of Dr Robyn Phipps in the matter of the Moturimu wind farm application
March 8, 2007
by Dr. Robyn Phipps
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Australia / New Zealand]
Wind turbine noise, annoyance and self-reported health and well-being in different living environments
February, 2007
by Eja Pedersen and Kerstin Persson Waye
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Europe]
Visual and noise effects reported by residents living close to Manawatu wind farms: Preliminary results
February, 2007
by Dr Robyn Phipps, Dr Marco Amati, Dr Sue McCoard, Dr Richard Fisher
This important paper investigates the noise and visual effects on local residents from the existing wind turbines in the Manawatu and Tararua region of New Zealand. A total of 1100 urban and rural residents, the majority living within a 3km radius of the wind farms in the Tararua and Manawatu districts were administered a self-reporting survey. The survey asked residents to assess the visual and noise effects of the closest wind farm. This paper presents preliminary results from this study. It demonstrates that 45 percent of respondents living within 2km heard noise from the turbines, and 80 percent thought that the turbines were visually intrusive.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Australia / New Zealand]
Noise Radiation from Wind Turbines Installed Near Homes: Effects on Health
January, 2007
by Barbara J. Frey and Peter J. Hadden
Wind turbines are large industrial structures that create obtrusive environmental noise pollution when built too close to dwellings. This annotated review of evidence and research by experts considers the impact of industrial-scale wind turbines suffered by those living nearby. First, the paper includes the comments by some of the families affected by wind turbines, as well as coverage in news media internationally. The experiences described put a human face to the science of acoustics.
Second, the paper reviews research articles within the field of acoustics concerning the acoustic properties of wind turbines and noise. The acoustic characteristics of wind turbines are complex and in combination produce acoustic radiation. Next, the paper reviews the health effects that may result from the acoustic radiation caused by wind turbines, as well as the health effects from noise, because the symptoms parallel one another. Primarily, the consequent health response includes sleep deprivation and the problems that ensue as a result. In addition, this paper reviews articles that report research about the body's response not only to the audible noise, but also to the inaudible components of noise that adversely affect the body's physiology. Research points to a causal link between unwanted sound and sleep deprivation and stress, i.e., whole body physiologic responses.
These injuries are considered in the context of Human Rights, where it is contended that the environmental noise pollution destroys a person's effective enjoyment of right to respect for home and private life, a violation of Article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights Act. Furthermore, the paper considers the consequent devaluation of a dwelling as a measure of part of the damage that arises when wind turbines are sited too close to a dwelling, causing acoustic radiation and consequent adverse health responses.
The review concludes that a safe buffer zone of at least 2km should exist between family dwellings and industrial wind turbines of up to 2MW installed capacity, with greater separation for a wind turbine greater than 2MW installed capacity.
Second, the paper reviews research articles within the field of acoustics concerning the acoustic properties of wind turbines and noise. The acoustic characteristics of wind turbines are complex and in combination produce acoustic radiation. Next, the paper reviews the health effects that may result from the acoustic radiation caused by wind turbines, as well as the health effects from noise, because the symptoms parallel one another. Primarily, the consequent health response includes sleep deprivation and the problems that ensue as a result. In addition, this paper reviews articles that report research about the body's response not only to the audible noise, but also to the inaudible components of noise that adversely affect the body's physiology. Research points to a causal link between unwanted sound and sleep deprivation and stress, i.e., whole body physiologic responses.
These injuries are considered in the context of Human Rights, where it is contended that the environmental noise pollution destroys a person's effective enjoyment of right to respect for home and private life, a violation of Article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights Act. Furthermore, the paper considers the consequent devaluation of a dwelling as a measure of part of the damage that arises when wind turbines are sited too close to a dwelling, causing acoustic radiation and consequent adverse health responses.
The review concludes that a safe buffer zone of at least 2km should exist between family dwellings and industrial wind turbines of up to 2MW installed capacity, with greater separation for a wind turbine greater than 2MW installed capacity.
Model Amendment to a Zoning Ordinance or By-law: Allowing Wind Facilities by Special Permit
2006
by Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
As interest in wind energy spreads throughout the Commonwealth, it becomes clear that there is a need within the cities and towns of Massachusetts for suitable zoning by-laws that accommodate wind projects. To help address this need, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources and Executive Office of Environmental Affairs developed this Model Amendment to a Zoning Ordinance or By-Law to assist cities and towns in establishing reasonable standards for wind power development. The by-law is developed as a model and not intended for adoption without review by municipal counsel:
Evaluation of Environmental Noise Analysis for “Dairy Hills Wind Farm”
October 16, 2006
by R.H. Bolton
Industrial wind turbine farms are proposed for the towns of Perry, Covington and
Warsaw, NY that will permanently alter the towns. Large turbines create strong noise
levels not only from wind through the blades but largely by the turbine mechanisms
themselves. To capture the wind these turbines are to be installed on hill tops around the
town and thus have significant potential to create a noise nuisance. Wind turbine noise
added to the prevailing ambient background sound is an important environmental
consideration when siting wind turbines since they are a permanent installation and may
significantly impair resident’s enjoyment of neighboring lands or even personal health.
Also, relevant consideration of noise impacts and mitigation measures are a specific
requirement of a NY State Environmental Quality Review procedure, required before
approval of permits.
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