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Wind Turbine Noise Documented

To the Editor:

If Wanda Shirk's contention (letter, Feb. 23) that noise from industrial wind turbines is not a concern, then why is she so worked up about the reasonable statement, "Wind energy ordinances must include a top limit for how much turbine noise can safely be added to our environment?"

The fact is that everywhere such wind turbines are erected, neighbors complain about the noise and shadow flicker. The noise is especially disturbing at night, not only because of a greater expectation of -- and need for -- quiet, but also because the noise is magnified and carries farther.

The wind industry knows this is a serious problem. The companies therefore include gag orders in their contracts with landowners to prevent them from going public, and they seek forbearance contracts with neighbors, similarly paying them to keep quiet.

Nevertheless, the testimony of ill effects continues to collect, with many people not just irritated by the invasion of noise and flicker into their homes but also suffering serious health consequences. Many physicians around the world have noticed, and the connection to nearby wind turbines is clear.

As Wanda Shirk admits, the health effects of industrial noise have become well documented. What she does not admit is that such industrial noise does in fact include wind turbines.

A research team at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, led by Mariana Alves-Pereira, found that the noise conditions inside a home near a small wind energy plant were as bad as those where a family was clearly diagnosed with vibroacoustic disease caused by infrasound and low-frequency noise from a nearby grain terminal. The report was peer-reviewed and presented at two international conferences in 2007.

It is no longer possible to continue in the belief that giant wind turbines, their turning blades chopping up a vertical air space of up to two acres, are not a substantial source of harmful noise, vibration, and visual disturbance.

Eric Rosenbloom

President

National Wind Watch

East Hardwick, Vt

Wind Turbine

'Propoganda'

Dear Editor::

These comments are addressed to Ms. Wanda Shirk, chair of the Potter County Planning Commission, in response to her letter to the editor appearing in the Feb. 23 edition of Endeavor News on wind turbines.

Ms. Shirk, perhaps you should try reading something that wasn't written by the American Wind Energy Association or some other industrial lobby group.

You stated, "Fears that were generated before the projects' completion are put to rest when the benefits to community are realized and people see that potential problems had been greatly exaggerated."

Quite the opposite is true!

Look at the fierce opposition in the UK and elsewhere. Look at the hundreds of news articles streaming in every day from around the world from those who listened to people such as you and then woke up to see their rural communities destroyed.

Please show me ONE coal plant in the entire world that has ever been displaced by wind power. Please show me any tangible data from anywhere that shows any drop in carbon dioxide emissions resulted by investing heavily in wind.

Germany just announced it must build 26 new coal plants to balance out the grid. Denmark's emissions have actually risen proportionally more than other European countries.

You also claimed, "Writers of this ilk also leave their readers with the impression that shadow flicker is a daytime constant."

I know of absolutely no one of that "ilk" who says this. What was your intention with that statement? Perhaps this: "Let's get the public to hate these people and dismiss and ridicule them, simply because they're not buying what I'm selling."

Would you feel good about your grandbaby sleeping every night just meters from a 40-story wind turbine?

You are arrogantly awash with propaganda. Next time you accuse anyone of fraud, check out the facts. Your pride is getting in the way of learning and properly fulfilling your leadership role in the community.

Maureen Anderson Essex County Wind

Action Group

Ontario, Canada

Wind Energy:

Think 'Small'

Dear Editor:

I am living in Germania with my husband and sixmonth old son. We were both previously working in Switzerland as research scientists when we realized that getting back to the land, contributing to a small community and being more self-sufficient would suit us much better.

We also wanted to live closer to our families and, since I am originally from Renovo, owning a small farm in southern Potter County seemed almost perfect for us.

We have been very happy with our move to Potter County and value very much the natural beauty of the county, as well as all of the people here who remain optimistic about its future.

We are concerned about the plans for location of wind turbines in Potter County because it is certain that they will interrupt the natural beauty of this region. We fear that, if the green light is given, this will begin a countywide destruction of a priceless treasure.

Wind turbines have a relatively small impact on the environment in parts of the country where highways, strip malls, housing developments, etc., have already interrupted the natural landscape. However, in Potter County, the turbines will have a significant environmental impact because they will intrude on an otherwise natural and wild region.

I do not want to hinder the endeavors of the large farmers in the region who see the wind farm as an economical opportunity. However, there are often several ways for people to improve their financial situation and selling out to corporate wind development is only one.

Owning such large and unique areas of land is a richness all of its own, but it also comes with a responsibility to consider the livelihood of the county and arguably the needs of the planet.

My travels and international relationships have made it evident that we are running out of open space on this planet and people are consuming too much energy. Even one short trip "downstate" is enough for one to realize the peaceful way of life and the unique landscape that we have here in Potter County.

We could make a revolutionary environmental statement by rejecting corporate wind turbine development and instead developing smallscale wind energy for electricity. Landowners could install a small turbine for personal electricity needs.

This would not only take advantage of the clean, renewable source of energy that wind provides, but also preserve the landscape and make Potter County more self-sufficient. Efforts to encourage wind energy in this way should be facilitated by our government and pursued by the citizens of Potter County.

Denise E. Fedele

Germania

Wind Power: It's

All About Siting

To the editor:

The natural heritage of rural Pennsylvania is threatened by unregulated wind development because, unlike other states, Pennsylvania has no state laws or regulations on wind farm siting.

In Pennsylvania, a wind developer need only obtain a pollution, erosion and sedimentation permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection to begin construction.

Although DEP tries to protect water quality, there are no state laws to protect fish, wildlife, birds, bats or the few remaining unfragmented tracts of forest habitat from industrial wind overdevelopment.

As a result, wind developers are free to build their industrial plants anywhere the wind blows, including our remaining, and highest quality, wild places.

Scientific groups such as the National Academy of Sciences and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey have recognized the environmental and wildlife destruction potential of such development on wild forested ridge tops. Both groups have called for extensive independent environmental studies before construction of wind plants in these areas.

Pennsylvania has millions of acres of reclaimed strip mines, brown fields, fragmented and degraded forests and farm fields that are suitable for wind development. It makes no sense to allow our last, highest quality wild places to be destroyed by the many miles of industrial roads that go with wind development. Legislation is needed to "guide" wind developers to previously disturbed areas.

Siting legislation is to be introduced shortly. I think everyone agrees that wind power will be a part of our future. We must ensure that we do not solve one environmental problem by creating another.

Degrading our highest quality waters, fragmenting our last remaining intact forest habitats and killing rare and endangered wildlife is not justified by the relatively small amount of power that will be generated. The costs outweigh the benefits.

Jack Buchan

Johnstown