Falmouth Wind I Turbine History

6/30/2009 Building Commissioner issued building permit for Wind 1 7/29/2009

Mass. Technology Collaborative executed contract for renewable energy certificates (REC) for future energy generated by Wind 1.

Shortly thereafter, MTC made prepayment of $1,010,623 for the Wind-1 RECs to the Town.

Delivery (repayment) over time in the form of energy generated by the wind turbines begins April 1, 2015 to MTC and Mass CEC.

7/29/2009 Mass Technology Collaborative sold Vestas 2006 V82 model and 80 meter tower to D & C Construction for use in Falmouth. (Wind 1 had been intended for use by Town of Orleans - but was never used)

Sept. 2009 Wind I delivered to Falmouth Nov. 2009

Town Meeting Article # 16 - Unanimous approval to establish Renewable Energy Stabilization Fund

Nov. 2009 Town Meeting Article # 17 - 2/3 majority approval to move $953,623 from sale of renewable energy certificates from Certified Free Cash to Renewable Energy Stabalization Fund

Nov. 2009 Town Meeting Article # 18 - Majority approval to authorize Board of Selectmen to petition General Court to amend Chapter 200 of the Acts of 2007 Section 5 regarding development of a separate Renewable Energy Fund

Nov. 2009 Town Meeting Article # 19 - Majority approval to appropriate $57,000 from Certified Free Cash to pay wind energy facility debts 11/09 - 01/10 FAA permits completed 3/23/2010 Wind 1 officially commissioned.

4/6/2010 Wind 1 begins operation.

Complaints from neighbors’s to town manager begin 4/27/2010 EPA grants the Town of Falmouth a waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA section 1605 under the authority of section 1605(b)(2) for Wind 2.

April 2010 Vestas notified of complaints; Vestas performed maintenance and certified Wind I was operating as designed.

June 2010 Hired Weston and Sampson to conduct sound study and Regina Villa Associates to assist with communications

6/10/2010 Meeting - Town Manager, Asst. Town Manager, 18 neighbors, Noise Control Engineering sound consultant met to gather neighbors input and discuss proposed scope of work for sound study

6/14/2010 Weston and Sampson; Noise Control Engineering; Harris, Miller, Miller & Hanson (HMMH) - Scope of work finalized and division of labor determined among consultants

6/15/2010 Sound Study log sheets mailed to nearly 300 residents in vicinity of Wind I to gather anecdotal information from residents (sheets collected by NCE) 06/18/10 -

06/28/10 HMMH Sound study data for Wind 1 operation gathered July 2010 Wind Energy Project web page launched; gmail account opened in order to facilitate communication, distribute information and log complaints and comments.

Here is what the town always knew - The Falmouth Wind 1 turbine operates at 110 decibels -the same as a hard rock band

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)