Neighbors have complained to the PSB, the department and anti-wind groups about noise. The department is collecting that information. In some cases, GMP is working directly with neighbors to identify the causes of noisy conditions. ...Neighbor Shirley Nelson, who stated she is suffering illnesses caused by wind turbine noise, asked for the maximum penalty of $140,000 and also asked that GMP pay for more monitoring.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

The family lives off the grid in a renovated hunting camp. They had plans for a bigger home near a spot where Luann says the view is spectacular when the leaves fall. But it's a view she said they will soon be forced to leave behind. "We were going to clear out back there and we were going to put a double wide in. That was what we were going to do," she said. "But now, even if we wanted to, we can't do that, because we can't stay."

Noise Impact on People Vermont

Shirley Nelson of Lowell, wants the maximum penalty possible of $140,000, saying GMP intentionally allowed the noise to happen - and continue. Nelson also wants full-time noise monitoring by an independent sound monitoring specialist. ...Nelson provided the board her diaries about when higher noise levels occurred and the impact on herself and her family.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

Reggie Johnson loves spending time in his yard. But since the turbines landed near his backyard, he says it's been difficult to enjoy the outdoors. "We cherish the moments we have outside. It's like a kid in a candy shop when you get the opportunity to come out when there's no noise. It's a blessed relief," he said.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

"People don't become desperate to leave their homes for no reason or because it's in their heads," she said. "We have inflicted this technology on people ... now they're getting sick, and now people like David Blittersdorf are ridiculing them. "At what level when you have survey after survey finding the same symptoms do you start saying this is science?" Smith continued.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

Michael Mammoliti said a wind turbine a few hundred feet from his home is giving him headaches -- literally. In the fall of 2011, Mammoliti and his wife, Brenda, filed a complaint to the Public Service Board against a plan by Green Mountain Power to build the 120-foot- tall alternative energy source.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I went outside. And the turbines on the ridgeline, they were roaring," he said. "And somebody asked me what it sounded like. I said it sounded like they were ripping the atmosphere apart."

Noise Impact on People Vermont

It's unclear whether findings from a $19,000 state study on noise levels for the Vermont Wind Project in Sheffield indicate if the 16 turbines have exceeded state decibel thresholds. Chris Recchia, commissioner for the Vermont Public Service Department, said that while the noise testing may help his department better understand how to evaluate wind noise in the future, he cannot draw conclusions from it.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

VCE is harshly critical of the recent report and believes the wind operator scaled back operations to influence the positive outcome of the testing. The report shows noise levels to be within those permissible under the Certificate of Public Good (CPG) issued to First Wind to operate the wind project.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

An attorney for the towns of Albany and Craftsbury say that violations in noise limitations from Lowell wind turbines are endangering neighbors' health and creating a public nuisance. And the towns are asking for more indoor testing to make sure that noise levels inside homes are not higher than allowed.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

Since October, 105 complaints about the big three wind projects have been collected by the DPS division on consumer affairs and public information, not including this complaint from McGrath. Some of those complaints are from the same people. Twenty-three different people have complained. In one case in November, 31 people joined to file a petition about wind noise about the Lowell wind project which prompted Green Mountain Power to adjust early operations.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

"The noise monitoring plan is entirely under the control of First Wind, who chose the firm to design the plan and conduct the monitoring. This is a perfect example of 'the fox guarding the henhouse,' " Smith said Thursday. "The PSB's order further illustrates the near-impossibility of neighbors being able to participate in protecting their interests before the PSB."

Noise Impact on People Vermont

Senators took a bill that called for a three-year moratorium on large-scale wind developments, pared it down to legislation that would have required large energy generation projects to conform to Act 250 land-use criteria, and then stripped it to $75,000 worth of studies for the House to consider.

Noise Impact on People General Zoning/Planning Vermont

Wind Spin leapt up a notch with news out of two new studies showing that people who say wind turbines are making them sick are making it up because they have been influenced by anti-wind campaigns. In other words, the wind industry says if you are sick it is because you are so stupid that you will believe anything someone tells you. And in Vermont, anti-winders were informed that they are part of a conspiracy to undermine the wind industry, in concert with the oil industry and the Koch Brothers.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

At last week's annual town meeting, Steve Therrien submitted a letter to the Sheffield Select Board, stating: "As we see it the town is benefiting at our expense. Our home has become toxic and uninhabitable. The town needs to do the right thing to take care of the residents impacted."

Noise Impact on People Vermont

Wind opponents and neighbors, however, aren't satisfied with the study, and say the noise generated by the 400-foot-tall turbines is still loud enough to disrupt the quality of life for nearby residents. ...The turbines sound like "a jet plane on the horizon." The noise isn't steady, the Nelsons say, but pulses in and out.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

"We are becoming very ill due to these towers behind us. We have appealed to everyone, I don't know whose responsibility it is to look after our safety, but we are now sick. I have doctors' notes. I have been put out of work. I want suggestions," said Therrien. "Somebody is responsible. We need resolution. We need to get out of there."

Noise Impact on People Vermont

"I'm feeling like we have to move," Steve Therrien said, adding that they can't afford to. "If you're not feeling well, and you know your kids are screaming, there's nothing you can do." The heated debate about wind energy in Vermont has moved to a new chapter: noise.

Noise Vermont

Wet snow on turbine blades during windy conditions caused the roaring sound that drew complaints about the Lowell wind turbines on Nov. 3 and 4. The noise, which at least 21 neighbors described as unbearable, began early in the morning of Saturday, Nov. 3, and continued into the next evening.

Noise Impact on People Vermont

There are thousands of wind opposition groups all over the world. The story is the same everywhere. The audible noise and inaudible low frequency and infrasound are driving people from their homes. People do not abandon their homes for no reason. Noise from these big machines can extend three to six miles in mountainous terrain, with residents within 2 miles most at risk.

Noise Impact on People Vermont