Wind turbine noise problem in Mars Hill (Washington, Hope: evictions, loan)

[GoldenCrow]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi DaizyMaine-- I've visited the Tug Hill wind project in NY several times, and, like you, found that the noise from these large turbines was very apparent even over the noise from the wind. It will remain to be seen how the noise levels change when you get the stronger fall & winter winds, and when there aren't any leaves on the trees to help buffer the sound.

[Coaster]

Guess I don't have to go to Mars Hill myself after all. Down East magazine went for me.

Down East Magazine: The Magazine of Maine

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by Coaster

Guess I don't have to go to Mars Hill myself after all. Down East magazine went for me.

Down East Magazine: The Magazine of Maine

Geez, I would think a $10 million payment to the citizens of Mars Hill would take some of the sting out of the situation, but then again, money isn't everything. This reminds me a bit like the placement of the dump in Old Town - there wasn't alot of public input prior to inking the deal. Maybe this is just the way government (yes, government - they make the rules) is going to be doing potentially controversial projects from now on, because they know that otherwise, we're dead in the water.

Thanks for posting the article, Coaster, it sure beats having to buy it at the newsstand!

[qhmare]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi Daizy. Haven't been here in a while and I see you posted this a while ago. Last weekend (which was when you posted this) was a very loud weekend. It was very loud up at our end of the mountain too. The wind was blowing our way though, so that does affect to volume. Typically the harder they spin the louder it gets.
qhmare

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

Currently there is discussion in the Eastport area about harnessing the power of the tides. This was actually a project once under FDR, called the Quoddy Dam Project, but was abandoned after only a few of the dams had been built. Actually, the causeway that connects Eastport to the mainland is one of those dams. The Bay of Fundy, which surrounds Eastport, has the highest tides in the world. Wouldn't it be great to tap into that!

I also think it wouldn't be a bad idea to look into wind power here in coastal Washington County. I don't know if anyone is doing it yet, but it seems like a no-brainer to me. It's windy 90% of the time, and the area is sparsely populated.

Did anyone see the weekend Bangor Daily.....new wind farm in Washington Country......I think they read my post.....although it isn't going to be coastal.

[Curious Guest]

Can anyone tell me what Mars Hill is doing with the $500,000. per year that it's collecting from the turbines? Is there a lowered property tax for home owners in Mars Hill in general? Do the people who are being inconvenienced get any financial benefit from this? From what I read, it was the town council that allowed this to happen because 20 years ago, the residents of Mars Hill gave up the right to have a voice in such matters and gave all power to the town council. Is that accurate info that I've read? Thanks for shedding any light on this.

[Turbineteacher]

What year did you research wind energy? a wind turbine that takes 2 days to erect, and a week to get onto the grid, can provide for up to 4500 homes now(Repower 6 megawatt) and a 2 megawatt can power over 2000 homes.The amount of concrete that you need to construct the foundation is not that much, and the road that provides access only has to be gravel, or even dirt, so long as maintenance vehicles and emergency services can get to the turbine. The towers can be made to accomodate the terrain, so that you dont have to clear cut.( how tall is the average tree? perhaps 60 feet? The average wind turbine these days stands over 200 feet tall, and the area that has to be cleared is only about 300 feet by 300 feet, to power a village of 2000.As long as the turbine is connected to the grid, it doesnt need any fossil fuel to run.It just needs the grid to provide electromagnetism to start producing electricity.Farmers fields are preferred locations, as crops can still grow, and livestock is not effected. The farmers benifit from renting a very small parcel of land, for far more than they could gain from other uses for the land.It seems to me a win - win situation. WE get electricity without pollution, and the land owners profit from the rent.

[Turbineteacher]

How old are the turbines? i have seen many of the new pitch controlled turbines, and they run virtually silent. the ones you talk about must be stall controlled, and yes, that technology was louder, but new turbines are engineered to be much quieter than the old ones.

[JustSayNo]

Oh please, same rhetoric vomitted over and over. Teacher, the turbines being installed in many states TODAY are 410 ft, and some want 500 ft. FOUR ACRES are cleared per turbine, just the turbine, forget about the access roads, the transmission lines and the SUB-STATION that runs to keep the turvbines running when there is not enough wind.

i know your numbers look GREAT on paper, put they are seriously flawed, and you know that. I am sure you are well versed on the "best thing since sliced bread," but read the info coming out of Europe-the first to junp on the bandwagon, and the stats out of CA.

Teacher, you may well be gung ho on the newest turbines that individuals and think-tanks are coming up with. They are a HUGE improvement over the white elephants these greedy SOBs are pumping out and putting up all over the place, as close as 600 ft to residences thanks to immoral local governements on the take. What the mongors and on-the-take officials are doing right now, TODAY, is what we are talking about. One of many many issues is why not SLOW DOWN, find a BETTER turbine that can co-exist with animals and humans. This gold rush for cash, that ruins lives and our natural resource is appauling at best, and just down right criminal at worst.

Please read the posts in this thread before you come in telling us all how great this boondoogle is. We are not the right choir to preech to. Big frikkin whoop that the sell-out selfish leaseholders and the MULTI-BILLION $$ corps. get fatter and richer. Energy without pollution mu lily-white butt.

Perhaps start a new thred for your "pros". See, we know the cons, we hear the cons, we see the cons, oh and Mars Hill HAS BEEN CONNED.

[kellysmith]

"Oh please, same rhetoric vomitted over and over" Teacher, yes read back through the posts. Your opinion is not warranted. You will see in your reading that I was called "selfish" for pointing out the five or six families out of a town of several thousand do not represent "Mars Hill". Overwhelmingly the folks I talk to welcome the windmills. I would say over 95% feel the combination of alternative energy and property taxes far out weigh any negatives. One should listen to the "noise" (if you can here any) to decide for yourself whether or not it's obtrusive. I've heard Mars Hill residents describe it as "a distant waterfall" sound, and then they go on to say they find it soothing!

Yes, Teacher there are two sides to every coin. I feel your pain for trying to express your views. Don't feel slighted by the personal attacks...at least your weren't called selfish!