Wind turbine noise problem in Mars Hill (Bangor, Old Town: renting, to buy)

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

With the nice wind blowing today, the least I can do is say "Thank you Mars Hill residents, especially those subjected to noise and flashing." It all helps.

thanks for the wind report at least the wind was able to spin those tax shelters

[GregW]

BCHWT - Sounds like you hate the tax arrangements more than the WTs. Unfortunately almost all of America's businesses indulge in tax shelters to direct their investment decisions. This is not good because it puts government and the associated lobbyists in charge and this really disrupts the capital markets.

Your comment about the disruption created by coal mining. Open pit and hill top mining are about as environmentally disruptive as it is possible to get outside of war. If there are any technologies that will reduce the mining of coal I will support them. I would support Federal preemption of state and local laws, rules and regulations in the case of alternate energy installations. Converting from carbon-based energy is just too important to be left up to the control of local residents.

Nice set of pictures. Would it be any more disruptive if the land on top of the hill were cleared for a ski resort, a McMansion or just for the timber? A hundred years ago most of New England was devoid of forests because of farms and sheep pasture. A one-time truck convoy may be annoying but is hardly a major problem. I consider cell phone towers to hideous but that does not give me the right to stop their installation.

I still think the major objection is that some people did not share either the tax credits or the land leases. If their lives are disrupted and they suffer damages then they may sue the perpetrator and recover damages in court. Although impractical, that is the way our system is structured. Any changes to the fundamental structure of our system will have to be made politically and should be done with great care and deliberation.

[qhmare]

Originally Posted by GregW

Moderator - this is not a personal attack but a considered discription.

You people would deny the development of environmentally sound wind turbine installations to protect camps because they might interfere with your playpens?

That is the very height of self centered selfish arrogance. What a bunch of spoiled brats.

Did I miss something here? I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about GregW. Can you please explain?
qhmare

[qhmare]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

With the nice wind blowing today, the least I can do is say "Thank you Mars Hill residents, especially those subjected to noise and flashing." It all helps.

Hmmm. This seems to be dripping with sarcasm... am I reading it wrong?
qhmare.
ps... yep, they were really loud this weekend!

[qhmare]

Originally Posted by Pericles

Greg has a point, how are these turbines SOO disruptive? I completely understand that people's lives have been dramatically changed by industrial development in the past, but if you are trying to say that a little extra noise and an occasional eyesore are the reasons why we shouldn't install wind turbines, then I say maybe the people who are effected should stop telling everyone else to conserve energy and try making a little sacrifice themselves.


Getting people to conserve energy takes much more effort and does much less to prevent global climate change than going to the source of the problem and changing the way we produce energy. The people of Maine need to realize that some sacrifices need to be made other then just changing the light bulbs.

I am Affected. I am not telling everyone else to conserve, but am doing my best. Unless you live behind a windfarm you cannot understand that this is not "a little extra noise" most of the time. Today it's actually pretty nice, the windmills are hardly turning (probably means they're not making much green energy either though) and I can actually hear the noises of nature. I can get over the sight of them, I've said that before - it's the noise.

You cannot understand unless you live here.... that could be said one million times over, and you still cannot understand.

The "people of Maine" can make all the sacrifices in the world, and unless the rest of the world makes that many and more, we're not going to see enormous change. We have one windfarm up here... it's not going to take too many coal-fired energy plants offline I suspect.
qhmare

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by qhmare

I am Affected. I am not telling everyone else to conserve, but am doing my best. Unless you live behind a windfarm you cannot understand that this is not "a little extra noise" most of the time. Today it's actually pretty nice, the windmills are hardly turning (probably means they're not making much green energy either though) and I can actually hear the noises of nature. I can get over the sight of them, I've said that before - it's the noise.

You cannot understand unless you live here.... that could be said one million times over, and you still cannot understand.

The "people of Maine" can make all the sacrifices in the world, and unless the rest of the world makes that many and more, we're not going to see enormous change. We have one windfarm up here... it's not going to take too many coal-fired energy plants offline I suspect.
qhmare

Since most of us don't live in Mars Hill, but do want to better understand your plight, it occured to me reading your post, How about making a video with sound and posting it on Youtube.com and letting us know on this forum when it is ready to view? I think that would help many of us to get a better idea what's going on.

[JustSayNo]

http://www.barehillsoftware.com/Welc...%20Hill-PC.wmv

Perhaps this just released movie (22 mins) will help.

Mars Hill is famous now, in the movies.

I have to add, I cry for the state of Maine and the residents of Mars Hill. What a unique place you HAD, a picture is worth a thousand words. This movie is very well done and really shows what the results of greed are. You are not alone in this, the people against you calling you names and making you feel like crap are just people whom are too lazy, or too selfish, to read between the lines and educate themselves in an unbiased fashion to unstand what a true SCAM this develpment is. A SCAm with a very high price to you, good residents of Mars Hill.

All I can say is I am truly, deeply sorry that you fell victim to this greed over ethics lie.

[GoldenCrow]

Originally Posted by JustSayNo

http://www.barehillsoftware.com/Welc...%20Hill-PC.wmv

Perhaps this just released movie (22 mins) will help.

Mars Hill is famous now, in the movies.

I have to add, I cry for the state of Maine and the residents of Mars Hill. What a unique place you HAD, a picture is worth a thousand words. This movie is very well done and really shows what the results of greed are. You are not alone in this, the people against you calling you names and making you feel like crap are just people whom are too lazy, or too selfish, to read between the lines and educate themselves in an unbiased fashion to unstand what a true SCAM this develpment is. A SCAm with a very high price to you, good residents of Mars Hill.

All I can say is I am truly, deeply sorry that you fell victim to this greed over ethics lie.

Thanks for sending this link, JustSayNo. This same sad story is being played out in windy places all over the U.S. No meaningful community involvment, no local and regional planning, terrible decisions about where to site these machines.

I'd like to thank the residents of Mars Hill who, in spite of having their own battle to fight, are using some of their time and energy to help educate the rest of us on the issues with these large wind installations. This first-hand record of what you're dealing with is very valuable. Thank you.

[JustSayNo]

You are SO right Golden my friend. I am so upset over this movie I obviously had no room in my mind at the time to express those sentiment. I know the Todds are doing all they can to educate their fellow Mainers to ensure that they make an educated decision, to ensure that they, unlike Mars Hills, has a VOICE and a CHOICE.

[DaizyMaine]

I was out for a walk yesterday and even with the strong winds the windmills seemed incredibly loud. It was the first time I was aware of them at this end of the mountain without really paying attention. Was it loud everywhere or does it have to do with the wind direction and speed? There weren't many running this morning when I went out.