Opinions
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Impact on People
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The ambient noise in rural environments such as Silcote Corners is from 25- 30 decibels, since it is not influenced by other background noises of traffic, industry and the like.
So the question becomes, how disruptive is noise of 40-45 decibels from an industrial complex (such as the wind farm) when it is located in a natural environment with an ambient noise level of 25- 30 decibels (or 15-20 decibels less)?
The ongoing expansion of wind power is an intrusion into the countryside, with a extent and effect comparable with the 1900s expansion of hydro power in the rivers in north Sweden. Wind turbines have a significant visual impact on landscape and the anxiety that they create must be taken seriously. There has been no serious research into how they affect people. It can almost be considered a violation of human rights when local opinions are met with indifference by government authorities.
Cape May is now facing a different kind of accommodation with the modern age, one that pits often-allied historic and environmental interests against each other: Green power.
The city's Historic Preservation Commission is asking City Council wants to ban windmills and only wants solar systems in the historic district that can't be seen from the street.
On page 5 of a GE Energy document titled "Wind Energy Basics", it states, "Siting wind turbines and assessing the feasibility of a proposed location must consider factors such as Community Acceptance and compatibility with adjacent land uses. ... Hence, megawatt-scale wind turbines cannot be located in densely populated areas."
In Union Beach a "densely populated area" begins 1,080 feet from the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority's site for their proposed 380-foot-tall GE industrial wind turbine.
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Impact on People|
New Jersey]
Given its natural beauty, why would anyone want to erect 43 steel towers on this landscape? According to the Manitoulin Coalition for Safe Energy Alternatives, the wind turbines destined for McLean's Mountain will be 26 stories high. ...An industrial-scale wind turbine installation does not suit this landscape.
Wind turbine companies have signed leases in the areas surrounding Stratford, Mitchell, Sebringville and St. Marys and are currently canvassing Fullarton and Hibbert wards. Once leases are signed, our neighbourhoods will become what every other community with turbines have become: divided, neighbour against neighbour, communities split because of secrecy and fear of the health problems that develop.
The proposed project to install seven 492 ft tall Wind Turbines within 800 ft of residences does not meet any of the criteria for responsible siting of wind turbines. This project is probably one of the most irresponsible proposals ever submitted for Cape Cod. We therefore must reject the project in its current form.
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Impact on People|
Massachusetts]
This begs the question of whether a frequent or constant annoyance can lead to illness of some kind. This is something that deserves consideration ...As well, there's something to be said for requiring all wind-farm developers to offer to purchase any residence within two kilometres of a planned turbine.
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Impact on People|
Canada]
The shrillness and sheer emptiness of the McGuinty Liberals' arguments on the energy file has been revealing in recent weeks. It is, I think, a measure of the desperation the provincial government is feeling less than a year away from an election. They realize the anger and resentment they've stirred up in rural Ontario, where they have unleashed their industrial wind energy experiments.
As a neighbor of the wind turbine farm, this year has been a journey from hope to anger and disgust. ...Our experience has forced me to look into the deeper issues of industrial wind - the technology, economics and politics - and the investigation has been an uncomfortable journey. It has brought my once-honey-eyed vision of easy, green power to the conclusion that industrial wind energy is, at present, bad science, bad economics and bad politics.
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Impact on People|
Maine]
Ontario has become a "free for all" for wind farm corporations from all over north America. These companies are being handed our province on a silver platter to erect massive turbines without being accountable for what happens after they've been erected - and our provincial government has no way of holding them accountable.
People opposed to the sacrifice of Maine's landscape have the deck stacked against them. Laws in place prevent citizens from challenging the economic and environmental assumptions used to justify wind power. The cumulative effects of multiple wind projects are ignored by the agencies responsible for protecting our environment and wildlife habitats.
How did this happen?
Out of sheer frustration of our democratic process I contact you. A wind turbine project is proposed to be built within a kilometre of my home.
As a spokesperson for a group of over 300 signed residents who petitioned for a moratorium on all wind turbines, we feel misrepresented by our local MPP, John Wilkinson, the minister of the environment.
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Impact on People|
Canada]
That natural treasure, which we voted to protect one generation ago, is once again in jeopardy. Once again the citizens of Maine need to let their voices be heard, and once again step forward and say "no" to a proposal to place a massive industrial wind complex on the very doorstep, and just a few short miles from the southeast corner of the Bigelow Preserve.
Wind companies argue that the newer generation of turbines is quieter, but you can't capture the wind with 270 foot diameter blades chopping through a two acre vertical air space without disturbing the air, i.e., generating audible and inaudible noise.
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Impact on People|
Minnesota]
Maine Voices: Things aren't all rosy on Vinalhaven about wind turbines
November 12, 2010 in Portland Press Herald
November 12, 2010 in Portland Press Herald
Our experience has forced me to look into the deeper issues of industrial wind -- the technology, the economics and the politics. It has been an uncomfortable journey that has changed my once honey-eyed vision of easy, green power to a view that industrial wind energy is, at present, bad science, bad economics and bad politics.
I add my voice to the growing number of Mainers who are demanding a moratorium on wind projects all over Maine.
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Impact on People|
Maine]
Then I got hit over the head. I was reading the New York Times and came upon an article about multiple lawsuits against wind farms all over the United States because of health concerns, and I said to myself, "What health concerns?" Three hours of intense Internet research later, I was shocked.
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Impact on People|
Minnesota]
Falmouth's wind turbine noise study is complete and all the Greenies can continue to wonder why we abutters are so whiney over "that sound," which for the most part falls within the guidelines of state noise regulations and Falmouth's own windmill bylaw of 40 decibels.
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Noise|
Massachusetts]
At 1.4mw, it is maximum size, industrial class; it is intended to generate electricity for ARC for use and to sell for profit. Large as the Provincetown Monument, it has a blinking red light and emits noise and vibrations.
Town Meeting in Dennis already voted to place turbines in five designated areas, not beaches.
The Oregon State Health Department has decided it is time to look into possible human health effects from industrial wind turbines. They have announced their steering committee will be comprised of wind farm developers, community members, the Department of Energy and Oregon's energy facility siting council, which oversees new industrial wind facility locations.
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