Documents
Category:
Massachusetts
The wind developer for Fairhaven Wind, two industrial-scale towers built near residences, has admitted that the sound survey conducted on October 15, 2012 was tainted due to one of the turbines, while still spinning, was not producing power. The developer insists human error was the cause but claims the no intent to artificially reduce the sound levels. The State of Massachusetts has ordered the results be discarded and for further studies to be conducted.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
PMLD admits wind facility is losing money, raising rates
September 12, 2012
by Brian Allen, General Manager of PMLD
This letter written by Princeton Municipal Light Department's (PMLD) General Manager, Brian Allen, offers a candid assessment of the utility's two-turbine (3.0 MW) project. The turbines have failed to live up to expected production levels. The project has also been plagued by technical problems. Rather than reducing rates for customers, the project lost $1.875 million and will continue to lose $600,000 yearly under current circumstances. Excerpts of the letter are provided below. The full letter can be read by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
Also filed under [
General]
Falmouth Health Department requests State assessment of turbine health impacts
June 11, 2012
by Falmouth Board of Health
The Falmouth Massachusetts Health Department send this letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requesting the Mass DPH immediately initiate a health assessment of the impacts of the operation of wind turbines in the town.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Alliance letter: FAA ignores air safety risks posed by Cape Wind
May 22, 2012
by Audra Parker, President and CEO of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound
This revealing letter to the FAA documents a clear pattern of political pressure on the FAA to rush the review process of Cape Wind thus creating a possibility of threats to air safety and national security. A portion of the letter is provided below. The full letter can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced that one of the two turbines sited in Falmouth exceeds noise levels permitted under State law. The letter from the MassDEP confirming the findings of a sound survey as well as the study report can be accessed by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page. An excerpt of the MassDEP letter is provided below.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Massachusetts Senate President responds to turbines near homes
February 15, 2012
by Senate President Therese Murray
This letter, written by Massachusetts State Senate President, Therese Murray, responds to the risks of siting turbines in residential neighborhoods.
Also filed under [
Impact on People]
The Bruce McPherson infrasound and low frequency noise study
December 14, 2011
by Stephen E. Ambrose, INCE (Brd. Cert.) and Robert W. Rand, INCE Member
This study investigated the possible presence of infrasonic and low frequency noise emissions (ILFN) from the “WIND 1”, a municipally-owned Vestas V82 industrial wind turbine in the town of Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Also filed under [
Noise]
On October 28, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals found the FAA failed to supply any apparent analysis of the record evidence
concerning the wind farm’s potentially adverse effects on flight operations. The court vacated all 130 determinations of no hazard issued by the FAA. An excerpt of the court's ruling is provided below. The full order can be accessed by selecting the link(s) at the bottom of this page.
Advisory Letter: Salem wind turbine generator feasibility study
September 8, 2011
by Stephen E. Ambrose and Robert W. Rand
This letter provides a preliminary evaluation of the Feasibility Study for the proposed Salem Wind Turbine generator on Winter Island in Salem, MA relative to noise. Acoustic experts Robert Rand and Stephen Ambrose raise questions pertaining to how existing background noise levels were surveyed and predictive noise levels after the turbine is erected.
Also filed under [
Noise]
Mass DEP on turbine sound survey methodology
June 30, 2011
by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
This letter, prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, details guidelines to the Town of Falmouth on conducting background noise levels. The Mass DEP explains its preference for sound surveys to be attended by trained personnel who can ensure the readings recorded by the equipment are not contaminated by transient noise sources.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
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