Falmouth 110 Decibel Wind Turbines : State Regulations

Falmouth 110 Decibel Wind Turbines : State Regulations

Massachusetts Noise Regulations

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Noise Control Regulation 310 CMR 7.10

310 CMR 7.10 Noise

310 CMR 7.52 Enforcement Provisions

Noise is defined in the Regulations as “...sound of sufficient intensity and/or duration as to cause or contribute to a condition of air pollution.”

Community Sound Level Criteria

A source of sound will be considered to be in compliance with the DEP noise regulation 310 CMR 7.10(1) if the source does not:
Increase the broadband sound level by more than 10 dB(A) above ambient, or Produce a pure tone condition.

The local Zoning Board of Appeals hears and acts on applications for special permits on local concerns--environmental, health and safety.

“The Town of Falmouth has NO noise studies for its two 110 Decibel commercial Vestas 1.65 megawatt wind turbines.”

The two turbines are around 7 decibels higher than smaller General Electric wind turbines used in an older study.

The simple fact is the Town of Falmouth hid a noise warning letter from Vestas wind company that the turbines are 7 decibels over the studies.

The town hid the letter 6 years ago because they would not be able to get Special Permit 240 - 166 to build the turbines. The permit process would require additional studies and notifcations to the residents around the turbines.

The Town of Falmouth has applied for Special Permits for the two turbines that break state noise regulations.

The letter warning the town in 2010 :

In the following letter Vestas wind company reiterates in writing that the Town of Falmouth had been previously warned the turbine generates up to 110 decibels

August 3, 2010
Mr. Gerald Potamis
WasteWater Superintendent
Town of Falmouth Public Works
59 Town Hall Square
Falmouth, MA 02540

RE: Falmouth WWTF Wind Energy Facility II “Wind II”, Falmouth, MA
Contract No. #3297

Dear Mr. Potamis,

Due to the sound concerns regarding the first wind turbine installed at the wastewater treatment facility, the manufacturer of the turbines, Vestas, is keen for the Town of Falmouth to understand the possible noise and other risks associated with the installation of the second wind turbine.

The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances. These measurements are based on IEC standards for sound measurement which is calculated at a height of 10m above of the base of the turbine.

We understand that a sound study is being performed to determine what, if any, Impacts the second turbine will have to the nearest residences. Please be advised that should noise concerns arise with this turbine, the only option to mitigate normal operating sound from the V82 is to shut down the machine at certain wind speeds and directions. Naturally this would detrimentally affect power production.

The manufacturer also needs confirmation that the Town of Falmouth understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors.

Finally, the manufacturer has raised the possibility of ice throw concerns. Since Route 28 is relatively close to the turbine, precautions should be taken in weather that may cause icing.

To date on this project we have been unable to move forward with signing the contract with Vestas. The inability to release the turbine for shipment to the project site has caused significant [SIC] delays in our project schedule. In order to move forward the manufacturer requires your understanding and acknowledgement of these risks. We kindly request for this acknowledgement to be sent to us by August 4, 2010, as we have scheduled a coordination meeting with Vestas to discuss the project schedule and steps forward for completion of the project.

Please sign in the space provided below to indicate your understanding and acknowledgement of this letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.


Sincerely,

(Bruce Mabbott’s signature)
___________________
Bruce Mabbott Gerald Potamis
Project Manager Town of Falmouth


CC: Sumul Shah, Lumus Construction, Inc.
(Town of Falmouth’s Wind-1 and Wind-2 Construction contractor)

Stephen Wiehe, Weston & Sampson
(Town of Falmouth’s contract engineers)

Brian Hopkins, Vestas
(Wind-1, Wind-2’s turbine manufacturer, and also Webb/NOTUS turbine)

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.Ve9oyhFVikp