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ANCRAM Board votes to revoke wind turbines permits
February 22, 2013 by John Mason in Register Star

Numerous noise complaints from abutting neighbors led to the action. Under the terms of the permits, they can be revoked if the applicant engages in any misrepresentation of fact ...When the Zoning Board of Appeals granted special use permits for the turbines in 2010, the applicants said the turbines were "extremely quiet," "almost silent," according to the resolution.

Citing Wisconsin turbine noise study, Cape councilman calls for statewide wind moratorium
February 5, 2013 by Jaegun Lee in Watertown Daily News

Town officials are urging the Association of Towns of the State of New York to support a resolution calling for a ban on industrial wind development, pointing to a similar movement in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Towns Association last month adopted a resolution advising the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to enact a moratorium on wind farms.

Wind turbine noise generates controversy
January 19, 2013 by John Mason in Register Star

Wind turbines that were installed on Carson Road in 2011 have been fueling some controversy with neighbors over the past six months. While the windmills were supposed to be quiet, the neighbors say this is far from the case.

60 Herkimer Co. residents file lawsuit against wind farm owner
November 10, 2012 by Amanda Fries in Observer-Dispatch

Frustrated by the wind farm that some residents say drives them "crazy," 60 Middleville, Fairfield and Norway residents have filed a lawsuit in state Supreme Court against the entities responsible for its construction, namely Iberdrola Renewables. "A lot of it has to do with the effect that it's having in being in close proximity to the residences," said Jeff DeFrancisco, an attorney from DeFrancisco & Flagiatano Law Firm of Syracuse.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Wind farm called giant pain in the neck
October 30, 2012 by Marlene Kennedy in Courthouse News Service

Dozens of neighbors of a $200 million wind farm sued the companies behind it, claiming noise and lights give them migraines, make them nervous and keep them up at night.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Fairfield residents say wind turbines too noisy
July 24, 2012 by Kathleen Duncan in Observer-Dispatch

Melewski said most of the spikes were in the 50-to-60 decibel range. Sixty decibels is equivalent to the sound of a dishwasher or clothes dryer. During the second study, done over the course of 80 days, Melewski said samples were taken every 10 minutes, that added up to hours over that period.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Iberdrola's answer to wind turbine noise: Give residents noise generating machines
July 20, 2012 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine

Weary residents asked town officials to measure noise levels at Iberdrola's Hardscrabble wind facility. The results found levels above the legal limit. But instead of reducing the noise, Iberdrola gave noise generating machines to residents in hopes of drowning out the whooshing and whirling turbine sounds.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Fairfield residents given noise generators to drown out sound of windmills
July 16, 2012 in WKTV

Tobin says people don't realize what it's like to try to try and sleep at night with these windmills going around and around when everything else is quiet. Tobin said, "I've had a few friends of mine that came up ...they said 'well that aint nothin'. When they sat there and were were talking, they said 'my gosh, how the heck do you put up with this'. Yea, cause it's constant. It don't go away. It sounds like a plane that never stops. It just goes and goes and goes."

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Noise reduction system to be installed at Hardscrabble Wind Farm
July 14, 2012 in Little Falls Times

The test results show repeated excursions beyond the legal limit. Simultaneous with its release of the report on sound testing, Iberdrola Renewables announced it would immediately begin testing the use of a proprietary noise reduction system developed by Gamesa, the manufacturer of the turbines. ...The town councils in both Fairfield and Norway have directed Iberdrola Renewables to report back to them on the results of the test no later than their next meeting in the month of September.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Tests conducted to reduce turbine noise; Herkimer County site uses quieting software on wind power units
July 14, 2012 by Brian Nearing in Times Union

The turbines, at 476 feet, are the tallest in the state so far. The two towns also were the first in the state to require sound testing of turbines after construction, rather than relying solely on pre-construction models to predict sound levels. ...Tests at the Hardscabble farm done in the spring and winter of 2011 found noise levels from the turbines were spiking as high as 60 decibles, Melewski said.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Noise Reduction System to be installed at Hardscrabble Wind Farm
July 13, 2012 in Observer-Dispatch

The town board recently authorized the testing of an a Noise Reduction System by Iberdrola Renewables to test 37 turbines - 25 of which are located in Fairfield - at Hardscrabble Wind Farm. The test will ensure that the turbines are in compliance with noise levels required by the special use permit issued by the company, according to a news release.

Cape Vincent officials urge tougher wind turbine noise standards
May 19, 2012 by Jaegun Lee in Watertown Daily Times

In a draft letter to commission Secretary Jaclyn A. Brilling signed by Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey, the board asked the state to amend Article X to require wind farm developers to assess low-frequency noise impact - a component, town officials argue, that will be "most annoying and unhealthy."

Clayton's new turbine noise limit based on "invalid" sound test, acoustics expert says
November 11, 2011 by Jaegun Lee in Watertown Daily News

The town board is set to approve a new turbine noise limit next month based on an "invalid" sound demonstration, according to the acoustics expert who performed the noise test.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Noise from Herkimer Co. wind turbines to be studied again
October 4, 2011 by Bryon Ackerman in Observer-Dispatch

A study conducted earlier this year found that the noise level in some instances went above the 50-decibel level required in the permits for the turbines, Fairfield town Supervisor Richard Souza said. Another, more extensive study will be conducted starting in late October or early November, Souza said.

Clayton wants wind turbine noise limited at 45 dBA
September 15, 2011 by Jaegun Lee in Watertown Daily News

"We want to amend it from 50 dBA to 45 dBA based on the World Health Organization guidelines for community noise. That would be the noise limit at participating residences and nonparticipating property lines," Town Supervisor Justin A. Taylor said.

Law would restrict turbine noise
June 13, 2011 by Matthew Bultman in Watertown Daily News

The proposed law was designed to limit noise levels of the turbines ...This set of guidelines would require turbines being built within 2,000 feet of a home, school or hospital not increase that building's level of noise more than six decibels above the level it currently is.

Allegany Town Board rejects change in sound ordinance
February 25, 2011 by Kate Day Sager in Olean Times Herald

Pat Eaton, town supervisor, said the board voted 3-2 against changing the sound ordinance, which currently allows for the noise level to be raised 3 decibels above the ambient level of 25 decibels.

Hammond proposes wind farm setbacks
January 15, 2011 by Matt McAllister in Watertown Daily News

The committee voted 9-1, with leaseholder Michele W. McQueer casting the opposing vote, to recommend noise limits proposed by sound expert Paul D. Schomer. He proposed three separate limits for different times of the day and night, including 45 decibels between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., 40 decibels between 7 and 10 p.m. and 35 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning]

Proposal for noise study fizzles in Cape
October 15, 2010 by Nancy Madsen in Watertown Daily News

The resolutions called for the town's acoustic engineering firm, Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., to take sound measurements in the town and prepare a report on the background sound levels in the town. Mr. Hirschey cited the wide difference between the results of the two wind project developers' study and one commissioned by the opposition group Wind Power Ethics Group.

Wind panel visiting Iberdrola's Maple Ridge wind farm
October 6, 2010 by Matt McAllister in Watertown Daily News

The Hammond Wind Committee will visit Iberdrola's Maple Ridge Wind Farm on Saturday to get a first-hand look at an industrial wind project.

Also filed under [ Impact on Landscape]

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