Wind turbine noise problem in Mars Hill (Jay, China: move to, food)

[DaizyMaine]

A quoted comment to the above article reads:


"2. Richard Bolton from NYS writes: The Baily's are not the first to have to move because of wind turbine noise. There are widespread instances of improper noise studies resulting in subsequent distress. I have documented reports from all over the world - UK, Sweden, Australia, Germany, U.S. and Canada. Families in Germany, Nova Scotia and the U.K. have also had to move away. And its probably fortunate they did. Some newer studies are showing long term exposure can cause Vibro-Acoustic Disease, and its documented (Germany) that epileptic seizures will increase due to proximity to the turbines. I am currently getting ready to release a noise analysis in rebuttal to a poorly done follow-up study at the notorious Mars Hill, Maine facility. I would be pleased to assist Mr. Bailey as well.
Posted 17/07/2007 at 9:16 am "

Hmmmm......more sound documentation. I wonder whether this will support or diminish the noise the neighboring residents of Mars Hill Mountain listen to 24/7. We can only hope it will be accurate. I think I'll invite this man to this forum for his findings and opinions.

[JustSayNo]

It is OK Daizy, I was the "arrogant and rude" one a few weeks ago. It seems that any of us that are against the turbines, have done in-depth research, and choose to share our experiences, research and opinions are automatically labeled selfish, whiney, arrogant NIMBYs. It is a common and pervasive comeback from those that are pro turbine or thoses that don't give a crap about what you and your neighbors are experiencing.

Keep on chugging, the Hill is getting more and more attention, and UPC is getting the screws tighened on them because of you guys. BRAVO. Their noise study for the Hill is not the first faulty cover-up for their mis-doings. Hopefully, with the attention it is receiving, it will be their last cover-up.

Hang in there girl, you are making a difference, and your actions may help others.

[DaizyMaine]

Thanks, JustSayNo, I am trying! This is a quote on the Mars Hill Noise study on the cohoctonfree.com site. I just want accurate data and facts......why is it so difficult to get? Whether they support my opinion or discredit it, I want the truth. We can argue about numbers forever but the only ones who know how loud it is are the ones living under them! How can any of the rest of us form a valid opinion when we can't get valid information?


"Did UPC's noise study find and correct the problem?
- No. According to UPC's new numbers, there really isn't a problem. Their project meets the noise criteria they said it would. Period.
- Why is there still a problem? The answer can be found by comparing the noise study done for Cohocton with the new one done in Maine.
- Both studies have fraudulently defective assessments of ambient noise obtained by using improper wind screens on their microphones which give baseline noise levels that are 5-10 dBA high. The resulting levels of "allowable noise" are therefore 5-10 dBA too high as well.
- Both studies assume that turbine noise will be masked by ambient noise but overlook the fact that naturally-occuring ambient noise does not have the deep low "thumping" sounds that turbines generate.
- Both studies estimate noise propagation and masking based on the average noise turbines generate at all frequencies (106 dBA) not their much higher dBA output at lower frequencies (120 dBA).
- Microphones used to monitor noise compliance don't measure accurately down into the thumping frequencies below 100 Hz.

So the result is troublesome noise that UPC can deny. What else can you expect from a developer whose bottom line is making money? Costly corporate honesty? It's time to wake up and smell the coffee before it's too late and we're all stuck with noise that won't go away.

Click on the Label for Noise below for more "Updates" articles about this subject, then go to the Sound section on our main website for more background information and updated links, including this link to an index page of UPC noise studies. After you've studied the noise problem for a while, be sure to let our Town leaders know what you think."
Updates: VN 7/17 - Maine Problem

[JustSayNo]

Hey Daizy-so funny-I was about to point you to cohoctonfree. They are being strong-armed by UPC and their very corrupt local gov. I assume, since you know the site, you have read some of the details and background on the outragous events in Cohocton-all created by the puppet-master UPC. It really helps to understand the history of the wind company, prior behavior, prior tactics, etc. to better defend yourself against the same party.

It is shocking what is going on in Cohocton because of UPC, I don't know what is worse-you guys not knwoing until it was too late, or Cohocton where the residents see and experience first hand the sham of a "process" and the real strength, powere and control these wind companies are exherting on these small-town govs. and it's residents.

For those that do not know, a clear and strong majority of Cohocton does not want UPC in town, yet the small minority (leaseholders) and the town gov., with the bribe money in their pockets, are getting their way. The town gov. blatently dismisses the majority's wishes and basically told them to go screw themselves. So scary.

Hang in there Daizy, you are not alone, crazy, or disruptive. You are defending yourself, your neighbors, your family against a huge injustice. Let the haters give you strength, not wear you down. You know in your heart the truth, don't let anyone take that away from you

[DaizyMaine]

JustSayNo.....Like minds and all that I have been reading the information on Cohocton, they have some good info with so many people involved in getting to the truth and trying to save their town. I wish them all the best.

The same Richard Bolton that did the sound study analysis in Cohocton is getting ready to release his analysis of the sound study done here in Mars Hill according to the article from Amherst Daily News posted above by Golden Crow. Many of us have already spotted a few inaccuracies and discrepancies in the original study but it will be nice to have those "officially documented" by someone with as much experience as Richard Bolton. I did ask him to join our forum, but that was before I knew of his reputation in in the wind industry. I'm sure he is busy and has his hands full elsewhere but at least we will be able to get his data on our sound study and I am grateful for that. I'll be searching for the sound analysis on a daily basis until I find it!

[GoldenCrow]

An article appeared this week in Downeast Magazine and covered some of what went wrong in Mars Hill. This is a short summary, the link to the article is below:

Empty Wind?

The town of Mars Hill...is the test bed for all that is good and not so good about wind power in Maine. ... With the failure of two other wind power proposals - a thirty-turbine project in Redington Township outside Rangeley and a three-unit installation in the town of Freedom in central Maine - the Mars Hill experience raises the question of wind power's future in the state. An energy technology praised as the green alternative to fossil fuels and one of the solutions to global climate change has produced controversies that have split the environmental community in Maine and made enemies of natural allies.

Empty Wind? - Down East Online - Maine

Quotable quote: "You can't put these things in people's front yards."

[DaizyMaine]

Picture attached if you want to see the unit. Story clipped from:
New invention to generate household electricity - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

A West Australian inventor believes he has developed a way to generate electricity for homes using wind power.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graeme Attey of Fremantle designed the concept which uses a modular wind turbine that is small enough to sit on a the roof of house.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Attey says his modular wind turbine is about a metre in length and half a metre in height, and creates power using blades which are rotated by the wind.


Now I know that everyone could not have a self-sufficient wind powered home, but for those that could it would reduce the overall consumption greatly. I'm not certain the utility companies, and the government who protect them, would allow something this simple to be marketed here in this country because it would cut into their profits but what if? In the winter the wind where we are can sound like a freight train, surely it would be enough to power our home. The affordability is the issue now for private wind power but if this unit will be mass marketed for affordability and it is modular so you could buy as many as you need it would please me greatly not to give my money to utility companies such as UPC wind.

The 20% property tax reduction this year in Mars Hill will inevitably create a bigger gulf between the families affected by the wind noise and the rest of the town. Hopefully it will attract some new businesses and increase the town's coffers. There are financial benefits to the towns hosting wind farms and the Wind Companies count on that to sway the majority. I am still searching for Mr. Bolton's analysis of the sound study that was done, I believe it still yet to be released.

[JustSayNo]

The Amherst Daily News, Nova Scotia: News | American resident warns of dangers of wind farms

"...spoke Friday night at the Ground Search and Rescue in Pugwash about how a wind farm in Mars Hill, Maine has terrorized locals.

He bought property in Mars Hill roughly 1200 feet away from the turbines, but hasn’t done anything with it because of how unbearable the sound and strobing from them is........."

And another take on the same discussion:
Pugwash windfarm: More communities affected

[ExAirForce]

When I was back in Houlton a few weeks ago I meant to head up to Mars Hill to see for myself the "wind mill fiasco". Unfortunately time did not allow. I have lived in Germany for the past 8 years and wind mills have popped up all over the place. Everyone I talk to here has gotten used to the new scenary and there is NO noise issues and I have stood directly below them on numerous occasions. As I said I did not get a chance to see/hear for myself while back but I don't doubt what folks are saying. What bothers me is that is seems like they didn't do it smart when installing the units in Mars Hill.

They are not "evil" or noisy when done correctly and the installers have given wind power a bad name and stuck the Mars Hill residents with the problem.

Install them in the middle of fields where there are no houses close by like they do here and only a couple in one place ... again like here.

Hey how about the company that installed them doing some research and benchmarking on what works well (for everyone)... holy crap what an idea.

If it works well in other areas DO IT... if it doesn't DON"T DO IT ...

Just my 2 cents/venting on what seems like typical corporate greed and stupidity.

[GoldenCrow]

Originally Posted by ExAirForce

Install them in the middle of fields where there are no houses close by like they do here and only a couple in one place ... again like here.

Hey how about the company that installed them doing some research and benchmarking on what works well (for everyone)... holy crap what an idea.

If it works well in other areas DO IT... if it doesn't DON"T DO IT ...

Just my 2 cents/venting on what seems like typical corporate greed and stupidity.

Amen, ExAirForce!