In Vinalhaven, a small island community off the coast of central Maine, the recent installation of three massive wind towers was hailed by residents and developers as the answer to the island's energy woes, but as soon as the turbines started turning this past November, some local residents began to regret what they now feel was a "devil's bargain."

Noise Impact on People USA Maine

Art Farnham is trying to ignore the noise, although he can clearly hear it inside his mobile home. A lobsterman who lives 1,300 feet from a turbine, Farnham turned down an offer to buy his 6-acre property. He continues working on a new home and shop that will have a turbine almost in its backyard. "I think they should shut them down," he said. "We were here before they were."

Noise Impact on People Maine

On December 19, WERU 89.9 FM radio conducted a lengthy interview with residents living near the Fox Island Wind Farm located in Vinalhaven, Maine, an island community about 12 miles off the coastline. The wind facility, consisting of 3 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines, was commissioned on November 17, 2009. This video (part 2 of 2) was compiled using excerpts of the interview. Those speaking are describing their experience of living with turbine noise. The images appearing in this video are not from Vinalhaven, however, they are actual photos of other locations in North America where towers were sited very close to homes. The entire interview can be heard at WERU 89.9 FM . Duration: 8 minutes 32 seconds View Part 1: Duration 9 minutes 37 seconds

Noise Impact on People Property Values Maine

On December 10, 2009, Attorney Rufus Brown made this filing to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection in the appeal of the Record Hill Wind Project. ...As part of this filing, Attorney Brown submits newly discovered evidence of correspondence between Dora Mills, M.D., Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control ("MCDC") and the Maine DEP, which he states suggests "the review input from MCDC in the Record Hill permitting process was tainted with a political agenda rather than being from an objective evaluation for the protection of public health."

Noise Impact on People Maine

The turbines were running, the community had pulled together, and with the support of the Fox Islands Electric Cooperative Inc. et.al. ...the dream of community-based wind power on Vinalhaven was a reality! ..."We support the windmills, but not the noise." The noise is as constant as the wind, building in intensity according to wind speed and direction. It can be a low rumbling, whooshing, grinding background noise that one can just hear above the sound of the trees or it can build to an in-your-face noise, like jet engines roaring combined with a grinding and pulsating sound that echoes in your head, keeps you awake at night, and beats on your house like a drum.

Noise Impact on People Maine

A group opposed to a wind project near the town of Lincoln says not enough testing has been done on the possible health effects of those living near turbines. The wind turbines would run along the ridge of the Rollins mountain range between Lincoln and Lee.

Impact on People Maine

There are 18 families who live under a mile and downwind of the Mars Hill wind project who have been negatively impacted by these massive turbines. We all want for people to understand what is at stake when turbines move into your community. The 28, GE 1.5 megawatt turbines here in Mars Hill have destroyed a way of life that many have cherished for generations. It is an industrial facility that covers over 3 miles. It has destroyed wildlife habitat, breathtaking views, and property values. It has forever scarred the mountain. It has disturbed streams, ponds and wetlands. Safety issues with ice throw, risks of fire and tower collapse are all things that neighbors have to consider.

Impact on People Maine Vermont

The Maine Osteopathic Association Board of Directors adopted this important resolution regarding wind energy development and public health at its September 25, 2009 meeting.

Impact on People Maine

This week, Concerned Citizens to Save Roxbury appealed the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's approval of the Record Hill Wind Project. The group wants the DEP's board to hold a public hearing to explore conflicting medical and technical information regarding the licensing of large wind turbine projects. The appeal comes while Gov. John Baldacci is on a trade mission in Europe to promote Maine as an attractive place to develop wind power.

Noise Impact on People Energy Policy Maine

Opponents of a wind farm project approved last month by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are appealing that final order. Through attorney Rufus Brown of Portland, Concerned Citizens to Save Roxbury, 37 individual camp or property owners, and the Silver Lake Camp Owners Association filed the appeal on Monday. Roxbury Pond is also called Silver Lake.

Impact on People General Maine

This affidavit by Dr. Michael Nissenbaum was submitted in support of an appeal filed with Maine's Board of Environmental Protection. The aggrieved parties are opposing the final order permitting the Record Hill wind energy facility issued by Maine's Department of Environmental Protection on August 20, 2009. The proposed project will include 22 industrial scale turbines sited in Roxbury, Maine. Dr. Nissenbaum asserts that turbines can cause adverse effects on human health.

Noise Impact on People Maine

The Maine Medical Association adopted this important resolution regarding wind energy development and public health at its September 12, 2009 annual meeting.

Impact on People Maine

At the Maine Medical Association's annual meeting, the group took up the issue of wind energy and public health. The MMA approved a resolution, submitted by Dr. Albert Aniel and Dr. Michael Nissenbaum, to encourage studies of the health effects of wind turbines.

Noise Impact on People Maine

A trip to Freedom, Maine to see the wind turbines. Duration: 7 minutes 1 second

Noise Impact on People Maine

This two-part radio interview features Dr. Michael Nissenbaum of Fort Kent Maine. Dr. Nissenbaum conducted medical interviews with the families of Mars Hill, Maine who live within 3600-feet of turbines. He discusses his findings, and more, in this interview with Brian O'Neil of WLEA radio in New York.

Noise Impact on People USA Maine New York

This two-part radio interview features Dr. Michael Nissenbaum of Fort Kent Maine. Dr. Nissenbaum conducted medical interviews with the families of Mars Hill, Maine who live within 3600-feet of turbines. He discusses his findings, and more, in this interview with Brian O'Neil of WLEA radio in New York. A presentation of his data can be found here: http://www.windaction.org/documents/20497 .

Noise Impact on People USA Maine New York

Peter Kelley, the attorney for the group, said Tuesday that his clients have seen the quality of life they experienced before the windmills were constructed slip from their grasp. He said his clients are alleging that they were not properly notified about all that the construction process entailed. Noise, which Wendy Todd said Tuesday was not supposed to be an issue, continues to reverberate from the wind farm. Headaches and frayed nerves are now a problem, according to Todd, and property values among the homes allegedly affected by the project have diminished.

Noise Impact on People Maine

A group of Mars Hill residents who live near the second largest wind power project in the state have filed a lawsuit against the developer, First Wind, citing noise and health concerns and seeking compensation for a loss of property value. ...Wendy Todd says she and her husband were supportive of the project. ...Soon Todd says the intermittent sounds and shadow flicker from the turbines began to wear on her nerves.

Noise Impact on People Maine

Selectmen decided at Tuesday night's board meeting to wait 60 days from June 23 before rendering their decision on a petition that seeks to rescind previously approved town laws allowing wind power facilities to be built on town ridges. Responding to lawyer Maura Horodyski's question about the petition and the board's response, Chairman Bob Sutton said they agreed to have lawyer Jennifer Kreckel of Rumford review the petition before they decide whether to follow its intent.

Impact on People Zoning/Planning Maine

Phil Bloomstein of Freedom, Maine provides a gripping image of what his life is like living next to an industrial wind facility.

Noise Impact on People Maine