Falmouth Officials Knew Turbines Broke Laws Before Construction

The following figures estimate the noise impact for a General Electric 1.5 megawatt wind turbine in 2005 approximately five years before the installation of a Vestas V-82 type 1.65 megawatt wind turbine generating 110 decibels of noise.

The white boxes represent decibel readings in the rings around a single General Electric wind turbine that produces 103.5 decibels of noise at the base of the turbine.

On the map you can see an arrow that points to the 40 decibel level and 50 decibel level. Blacksmith Shop Road is between the 40 and 50 decibel boxes showing homes on Blacksmith Shop Road exceed 40 decibels of noise.

General Electric which produces the 103.5 decibel wind turbine refused to site one single turbine due to residential setbacks and ice throw.

The Town of Falmouth then went forward placing a Vestas V-82 type 1.65 megawatt wind turbine generating 110 chest pounding decibels of noise. The white boxes then have added another 6.5 decibels of noise.

The 40Db and 50Db boxes become 46.6 and 56.5 decibels. Raising the decibel levels 6.5 decibels on a decibel scale doubles the sound to the human ear.

This shows the Town of Falmouth had full knowledge prior to the installation of Falmouth Wind I that a single Vestas V-82 type 1.65 megawatt wind turbine will break state noise regulations.

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

310 CMR 7.10 Noise

(1) No person owning, leasing, or controlling a source of sound shall willfully, negligently, or through failure to provide necessary equipment, service, or maintenance or to take necessary precautions cause, suffer, allow, or permit unnecessary emissions from said source of sound that may cause noise.
(2) 310 CMR 7.10(1) shall pertain to, but shall not be limited to, prolonged unattended sounding of burglar alarms, construction and demolition equipment which characteristically emit sound but which may be fitted and accommodated with equipment such as enclosures to suppress sound or may be operated in a manner so as to suppress sound, suppressible and preventable industrial and commercial sources of sound, and other man-made sounds that cause noise.

The picture is from page 44 of the year 2005 KEMA Inc. study done for the Town of Falmouth

http://www.falmouthmass.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1695

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.

link to read entire letter :

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.Wlytj6inG02