Falmouth: CBI Confirms 2010 Vestas Noise Warning Never Disclosed

The purpose of the Falmouth Wind Turbine Option Analysis Process (WTOP) was to engage in an open, transparent, and collaborative exploration of the range of options for the long-term future of the Town’s two Wind Turbines – Wind I and Wind II.

Facilitated by Stacie Smith (stacie@cbuilding.org) and Eric Roberts (eroberts@cbuilding.org).

It is confirmed that over a period of twenty six meetings in the last half of 2012 the Town of Falmouth never disclosed the Vestas noise warning letter of 110 decibels of noise 7 decibels or more than twice as loud as a General Electric turbine used in noise studies for the Town of Falmouth.

Those representing the Town of Falmouth were: Director of Human Services Karen Cardeira, Selectman Doug Jones Liaison to Falmouth Board of Selectmen and Selectman Mary Pat Flynn Liaison to Falmouth Board of Selectmen

Those representing the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: Peter McPhee and Nils Bolgen liaison to MassCEC

In addition to this information about the 110 decibels of noise from the Vestas turbines in Falmouth people should take note of the Massachusetts Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of Independent Expert Panel January 2012.

The Massachusetts expert Independent panel members used a 103 decibel commercial wind turbine in the study. Not a 110 decibel Vestas V-82 type 1.65 megawatt wind turbine such as those found in Falmouth.

The trust in Massachusetts state and local government is in major decline and so is the credibility of its officials.

We are now watching public officials openly lie in public. Lies of omission are often just as damaging as an outright untruth. In this case the Town of Falmouth took the health and property rights of up to 200 residential home owners for financial gain and a failed commercial wind state agenda.

The 2010 Vestas noise warning :

“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.”

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