The WindAction Group (www.windAction.org)
Facts, analysis, exposure to industrial wind energy's real impacts
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.
Falmouth Wind #1 post-construction noise survey
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.
The memo, prepared by a West Virginia Public Service Commission staff attorney, recommends the PSC investigate the noise complaints filed at the Pinnacle wind energy facility. Pinnacle Wind LLC has asked that the complaint be dismissed.
THe map shown in this document highlights the locations where residents of Falmouth, Massachusetts have filed formal complaints due to turbine noise. The map represents the period from July 2011 to March 2012.
There is no worldwide agreement on appropriate wind turbine setback distances from homes and limited awareness of wind turbine setbacks in other countries. This report attempts to identify and clarify existing governmental requirements and recommendations regarding wind turbine setbacks from residences. The introduction of the report is provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking the link(s) on this page.
Acoustics expert, Mr. Richard James, filed these comments on behalf of the Protect Our Communities Foundation and Backcountry against Dumps, Inc. as part of their public comments on the BLM EIS/EIR for the proposed Imperial County, Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility. Mr. James' testimony details the major problems with Cadna/SoundPlan and other commercial noise modeling software products based on the ISO 9613-2 noise modeling standard.
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection voted to impose this more stringent noise regulation on commercial wind turbines operating near homes or businesses. The new rules were also approved by the Maine state legislature. THe new rules lower from 45 decibels to 42 decibels the maximum allowable noise from wind farms between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. as measured from houses and other “protected locations” within one mile of the turbines. The rules also lay out a detailed process for collecting sound readings and compiling noise complaints. A portion of the rules is excerpted below. The document can be accessed at the link(s) on this page.
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.
Neighbors of the Vinalhaven wind turbine farm filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine for failing to enforce noise regulations against Fox Islands Wind, the turbine operator. The neighbors’ lawsuit charges that the decision by Maine DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) on June 30th was arbitrary and capricious and driven by political meddling against the recommendation of DEP regulatory staff.
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.
This complaint was filed with the Maine Public Utility on behalf of ratepayers and members of the Fox Islands Electric Cooperative ("FIEC") aggrieved by unreasonable practices engaged in and unreasonable rates charged by FIEC.
This important document examines the possible impact of turbine noise on wildlife. The entire report, with references, can be downloaded by clicking on the link(s) at the bottom of this page.
This research, prepared by Meghan C. Sadlowski, Division of Migratory Bird Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service explores how wind turbine noise may be impacting wildlife and calls for more research on the issue. An excerpt is provided below. The full paper can be accessed by clicking at the links at the bottom of this page.
This letter addressed to George Baker of Fox Islands Wind LLC responds to a complaint filed with the State of Maine concerning excessive turbine noise emissions at the Vinalhaven wind energy facility. The State has determined that the project is operating outside the noise limits permitted for the project.
Residents of Vinalhaven, Maine filed a complaint with Maine's Department of Environmental Protection regarding excessive noise from the Fox Islands wind energy facility. The below report was submitted to the Department by EnRad's Warren Brown who conducted the review of the noise. Mr. Brown found that the project sound levels exceeded nighttime limits of 45 dBA. The original report is posted below and can be accessed, along with two accompanying documents, via the links below.
After noise complaints started coming in following the erection of WIND 1, the first Falmouth turbine at the wastewater treatment facility, Vestas required confirmation that the Town of Falmouth "understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors." WIND 2 would not be released to the town for erection until the letter was signed. The letter explaining the situation is provided below and can be accessed by selecting the link(s) on this page.
This report, prepared by Acoustics and Noise Control expert Richard D. Horonjeff, explains how turbine noise differs from other types of noises within a community. The information was submitted to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. An excerpt of the report is provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on one of the links at the bottom of this page.
Noise from modern wind turbines is not known to cause hearing loss, but the low-frequency noise and vibration emitted by wind turbines may have adverse health effects on humans and may become an important community noise concern.Wind-turbine noise what audiologist should know.
This important letter was submitted to the Commissioner John Auerbach of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in regard to industrial scale wind turbines being built close to where people live and gather.