Jan
10
2012
Worried about home values
By admin
This is an interesting study..
http://www.wiwindinfo.net/impacts/Kielisch%20-%20Wind%20+%20Property%20Value.pdf
Dec
21
2011
Letter from the turbine company “Vestas” yes they make noise !!
By admin
DEC 17, 2011
Town Officials, Boards, Legislators, and other Interested Parties.
Now isn’t this interesting.Forwarded by Barry Funfar 27 Ridgeview Drive Falmouth, MA 02540
POSTED 12/16/2011 LETTER FROM VESTAS: WORRIED ABOUT REGULATION OF LOW-FREQUENCY NOISE”
“At this point you may have asked yourself why it is that Vestas does not just make changes to the wind turbines so that they produce less noise? The simple answer is that at the moment it is not technically possible to do so…”
Author: Engel, Ditlev
Dear Karen Ellemann,*
Following previous correspondence, I am writing this letter to express my concern regarding the limits for low frequency noise from wind turbines now being proposed.
Back in January 2011 we applauded your announcement of the new regulations regarding low frequency noise and the fact that you also then emphasised that those regulations would not be tightened and that it was a question of improving the security in connection with the installation of wind turbines. Accordingly, the reaction from the industry branch back in January 2011 was positive, although as an industry we were uneasy about having heavier demands imposed on us than other industries.
When the new regulations were then published on 26.05.2011, we were of course convinced of your initial point of view. As a result, we were extremely surprised to find that the proposed new regulations do in fact include a significant and severe tightening of the previous noise regulations.
In fact, according to our analyses, the most economical turbines, the 3 MW category, are the ones that will be strongly affected by the new rules. This applies to open terrain in particular, where in future low frequency noise will dictate and increase the distance requirements to neighbours for close to half of the projects that we are already aware of over the next 2 to 3 years.
In a small country such as Denmark this means that a significant number of projects will not be viable as the increased distance requirements cannot be met whilst maintaining a satisfactory business outcome for the investor.
The Danish market for wind turbines is of minor importance for Vestas in terms of sales, typically less than 1% of our sales per year. However, the Danish market provides a number of other functions for Vestas which are of considerable value from a business point of view. By means of its high wind penetration, 24% in 2010 – still a world record – Denmark has a role as a forerunner country and a full scale laboratory for conversion to renewable energy.
This means that other countries often look to Denmark when adjusting their legislation regarding wind energy. We are therefore concerned – justifiably so as history shows – that the proposed Danish regulations for low frequency noise from wind turbines will spread to a large number of other markets with much higher commercial impact for Vestas and consequently for employment in the business.
The Danish wind turbine industry employs approx. 25,000 people in Denmark and boasts an export which is about 8.5% of total Danish exports. Such “over-proportional” presence has become possible because Denmark has been able to create the conditions for good correlation between demonstration, education and industry research and development. In reality we fear that the demonstration element will suffer irreparable damage as a result of the new regulations regarding low frequency noise. When combined with the imminent danger that important markets will copy the new Danish regulations, I consider the new regulations to be extremely damaging to the prospects of further popularisation of land-based wind energy.
At this point you may have asked yourself why it is that Vestas does not just make changes to the wind turbines so that they produce less noise? The simple answer is that at the moment it is not technically possible to do so, and it requires time and resources because presently we are at the forefront of what is technically possible for our large wind turbines, and they are the most efficient of all.
In the light of this it seems strange that the wind turbine industry is being discriminated against compared to other industries. All other industries are subject to differential noise requirements regarding low frequency noise for night and day (20, respectively 25 dB), whereas the wind turbine industry are subject to requirements of 20 dB 24 hours a day.
The proposed low frequency limit values may hinder the development of onshore wind in Denmark, including meeting our commitments in relation to the EEC. Ultimately, we consider there is a danger that the regulations will be copied by other countries and accordingly this will provide an obstacle to the popularisation of wind energy at a global level. Both issues will damage Vestas as a business, including affecting Danish activities.Yours sincerely,
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
[Signature]
Ditlev Engel
Chief Executive Officer
Alsvej 21, DK-8940
Dir. +45 9730 0000, www.vestas. comA copy of this letter was sent to Lykke Friis, Minister for Climate and Energy*Karen Ellemann, Minister of Environment
Department of Environment
Højbro Plads 4
1200 Copenhagen KRanders, 29 June 2011/erlgsTranslated from Danish by Bente H. Sorensen, Translationz.com.au
Dec
16
2011
More good news
By admin
I just got this email:
You’ll be pleased to hear that, after a three-year fight, the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act is finally dead!
Last night, Senator Ben Downing, co-chair of the legislature’s energy committee, announced he would recommend that the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act (WESRA) go into a study order for this legislative session, which effectively kills it. Since the senate president had already said she no longer supported it, this was the final blow.
If you want to see video clips of their statements, please visit our Facebook page <www.facebook/greenberkshires>. The clips are available courtesy of Preserve Lenox Mountain.
If you remember, last year, the governor made WESRA one of his top three legislative priorities; the senate president vowed to push daily if necessary to get it passed; Ben Downing spoke on the senate floor in favor of it. From the time we first became aware of the bill in 2009, we were up against the statehouse leaders, the media, and the “green” groups. It was quite a fight.
But during those three years, people from more than 150 towns and cities signed petitions, educated themselves and their friends, called their elected officials, wrote letters to newspapers, attended meeting after meeting, testified at public hearings. From the Cape to the Berkshires, we all pitched in to protest this unprecedented and dangerous piece of legislation.
And to their great credit, our legislative leaders listened and reversed course on the bill.
The work of certain legislators was critical, among them Senator Mike Knapik of Westfield and Representative George Peterson of Grafton, along with (now former) Senator Richard Tisei of Wakefield, Senator Bruce Tarr of Gloucester, and Representative Brad Jones of North Reading.
Denis Guyer, formerly a state representative from the Berkshires, led the floor fight last year. Many representatives pitched in to help, like Steve Kulik, Ellen Story, Sarah Peake, Dan Bosley (no longer in office), Smitty Pignatelli, Todd Smola, Tim Madden, Demetrius Atsalis, and others.
On the senate side, Steve Brewer, Richard Moore, James Timilty, and Richard Ross were among those with us.
You might be surprised to learn that one of our most helpful allies was Jim Wallace of the Gun Owners Action League. Eric Turkington, a former state representative from Falmouth, was an invaluable adviser throughout, supported by the Martha’s Vineyard citizen group P.O.I.N.T. And did you know that we hired a lobbyist? Not that we thought one lobbyist could overcome dozens of industry lobbyists, but because we needed to know what was going on in the backrooms of Beacon Hill. Lobbyist Henri Rauschenbach has been at our side for more than a year now, and is a very valued part of our team.
The people we should all thank most are the ones who live near the wind turbines in Falmouth. Their horrible personal experiences, and their willingness to travel around the state to warn the public of what happens when wind turbines are built near neighborhoods, made the difference over and over as town officials, legislators, and residents listened to their stories.
And this is now my chance to thank you, too, for helping to stop WESRA!
One last request, would you please thank your own legislators, along with Senator Ben Downing and Representative John Keenan (the co-chairs of the energy committee), Senate President Therese Murray, and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, for killing WESRA. Their email addresses are below. Therese.Murray@masenate.gov Robert.DeLeo@mahouse.gov Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov John.Keenan@mahouse.gov
Senator Mike Knapik and Representative Peterson certainly deserve notes of thanks, too. Michael.Knapik@masenate.gov George.Peterson@mahouse.gov
If you want to know how to contact your own legislators, here’s the link: http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Search
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Eleanor Tillinghast
Green Berkshires
(413) 528-9363
etillinghast@greenberkshires.org
Dec
13
2011
Everything is in appeal
By admin
All 4 of the Keith Mann turbines “future generation” are now in appeal. If you would still like to help us please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. This impacts everyone in the town. Property values, health concerns, miss use of land.
It’s not too late to get involved.
Regards
Your Neighbors
Nov
07
2010
Cedarville / Hedges Pond Rd Turbines
By admin
We now have Cearville joining out battle.. They have 2 Turbines proposed for the Hedges Pond Road area. Please check out the attached image file for more info.
Oct
25
2010
Bourne selectmen oppose wind farm location – Bourne, MA – The Bourne Courier
By admin
Bourne selectmen oppose wind farm location – Bourne, MA – The Bourne Courier.
Looks like the town of Bourne understands how big the impact will be…. I wish Plymouth would be just as understanding!