Wind turbine noise problem in Mars Hill (Bangor, Lincoln: power lines, low crime)

[GoldenCrow]

Originally Posted by Dwatted Wabbit

These are supposed to be whisper quiet:
Jay Leno Checks Out Wind Turbines from Pacwind : MetaEfficient

Interesting link, thanks. There seems to be quite a few vertical designs being tested for wind turbines. It also looks like the prices are starting to come down to a more reasonable amount for those of us who what to look at the smaller home / farm-based wind systems.

This is the sort of technology that I'd like to see our government funding rather than only helping fund the out of state -- and out of country -- corporations that are pushing small towns to accept bad deals on these huge wind installations.

[dmyankee]

The story behind the turbines is an old one. We have been there before with promises of cheaper rates, sustainability, power on the grid, fewer hydrocarbon emissions and jobs. Does the term "biomass" from the 70's come to mind?

Make no mistake about this. The entire industry is springing up on the basis of carbon credit exchange sales by the investors that will enrich the pockets of a few, while doing nothing to curb emissions from existing or future power plants.

Wind turbines are only running at 20+% efficiency. Current solar at it's best is at 30+%. All I have to hear about the Nubble project is the name of one investor...former governor Angus King! Don't forget that his last job, before running as an "Independent," was shuffling paperwork for CMP to the tune of several million dollars.

My fear is that these sites will be the blights on the countryside and a tool by the Wall Street fund managers to create self monitoring hedge funds to exchange worldwide carbon credits. These will be exchanged for cash to any entity that will still pollute in the 2nd and 1st world countries.

My point is that we have heard all the promises before. Biomass and now the wind turbines will not shut down one single power plant. I am afraid that the jobs will not materialize. I doubt any of these investors are out for anyone but themselves. That's just my 2 cents...for now!

[DavidoftheNorth]

Do any of you have informed opinions on the viability of (deep) geothermal?

[cynthia2]

Hello.

My husband and I live in Massachusetts, and we're looking for a parcel of land in Maine on which to build a home.

We spend the past three days looking for land in Maine. One of the parcels that we looked at yesterday is in the town of Bridgewater, which is a few miles south of Mars Hill.

As we drove north on Route 1 yesterday and entered the town of Bridgewater, we saw Mars Hill and were so disappointed and - well, the word "horrified" is too strong, I guess, but really it looks just awful. What was once a beautiful mountain is now scarred forever.

The Mars Hill Wind Farm has definitely devalued real estate in that area. Let me tell you why I say that: there are several parcels of land in the area that USED TO have a beautiful view of Mars Hill , and my husband & I would probably be buying one of them if the wind farm wasn't there. But, because the wind farm is there, we've decided not to look at real estate anywhere in that vicinity. And, I'm sure there are many, many other people who think the same way that we do.

Now let me say that I am a big fan of Al Gore and his crusade against global warming, and I'm 100% behind the idea of renewal energy sources. But this kind of thing is abhorrent.

I think wind farms are a great idea, but let's put them in places where they don't do some much aesthetic damage. For example, in central Massachusetts, where were live, there is an abandoned airport. Very few people live nearby. It is an ideal place for a wind farm, and the Powers That Be in this area are considering the possibility of erecting a wind farm there. I think it's a great idea. It will generate lots of power, but hardly anybody will see it!

[GregW]

Davidoftehnorth - I tried to PM you - I have been following Deep Geothermal technology for years. I think it is ready for real development. I suggest googling Enhanced Geothermal Systems or Dr. Jeff Tester for links to way more information than you will need.

Greg W.

[DaizyMaine]

I've been waiting for Richard Bolton's wind study assessment and it has finally been released. You can find it here

www.windaction.org | Assessment of Mars Hill sound study

and download the PDF if you wish. Interesting findings.....overall the original sounds studies are flawed (really? who would have known!) But read for yourself, I'm interested in your opinions.

[garviegirl]

Originally Posted by DaizyMaine

Kelly,
No one is attacking you and as I said everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just trying to provide some insight, some facts, some personal experience to those who base their opinions on one place and one person. Noticing a noise when you are relaxed and enjoying yourself outdoors is much different than what you expect to hear when you want to unwind. Numbers are great, but can you hear them when you lay down at night to go to sleep? Maybe you should get a tent and sleeping bag and spend a night or two camped outside these homes where the levels are high. A little personal perspective on what it would be like to listen to that 24/7. Also, don't forget who hired and paid for the company that did the noise study. Not saying it's fraudulent, but a little unethical and makes you wonder where the loyalty lies.

Looking to contact residents of Mars Hill who have experienced the effects the turbine noise. Our little community is next on UPC's list and I'm very afraid noone is is aware of the negative consequences.

[kellysmith]

Since this thread was started, I have purchased a property within one mile of the Mars Hill farm and to this day, I have no complaints. In fact, I think they are great! I can't hear any objectionable noise.

[GoldenCrow]

Originally Posted by kellysmith

Since this thread was started, I have purchased a property within one mile of the Mars Hill farm and to this day, I have no complaints.

It seems that most of the problems reported from this industrial wind power facility occur when the turbines are closer than 1 mile to someone's home. So maybe that's the magic number -- these large (400+ feet tall) should not be placed within 1 mile of the home of a non-participating neighbor. It would certainly allow for wind development, and help protect neighbors from the nighmares described in the Boston Globe article.

Here's the link to: "An idyll lost in turbines' humming
Neighbors regret Maine wind farm" from the Boston Globe


An idyll lost in turbines' humming - The Boston Globe

"Neighbors say the noise, while variable and subtle, is still profoundly disruptive."

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by GoldenCrow

Interesting link, thanks. There seems to be quite a few vertical designs being tested for wind turbines. It also looks like the prices are starting to come down to a more reasonable amount for those of us who what to look at the smaller home / farm-based wind systems.

This is the sort of technology that I'd like to see our government funding rather than only helping fund the out of state -- and out of country -- corporations that are pushing small towns to accept bad deals on these huge wind installations.

It looks like nuke power is not the power of the future as the NRC just announced due to lack of water as many as 21 reactors in the southeast and the southwest will have to be shut down. I heard the news on VPR and don't remember the numbers but nuke power plants use mind boggling amounts of water in their cooling systems.