Falmouth Wind Turbine Bomb Shell Warning Letter 2010

Falmouth Wind Turbine Bomb Shell Warning Letter

Falmouth Wind I was commissioned in March of 2010. The neighbors started complaining immediately. They describe the noise as torture from lack of sleep and unable to work in their yards during the day.

In May of 2010 Assistant Town Manager Heather Harper is quoted in AcousticEcology.org: Asking Vestas about elevated noise levels and asking neighbors to compile records about the noise.

The real problem is the town had already previously been warned by the wind turbine manufacturer the town the turbines generate up to 110 decibels!

In 2013 three years later through an FOIA, Freedom of Information Act request, the town released a warning letter dated August 3, 2010. That letter states the town had previously been warned the turbines generate up to 110 decibels of noise.

This letter has never been posted on the town website and current Select Board members are aware.

Folks, the bottom line here: KEMA Inc. Noise Maps from 2005 which include, emails and a warning letter show the town knew prior to the installations the turbines were too loud to be placed near residential homes.

Town Meeting Members have been voting for up to $300,000.00 every six months to pay for litigation.

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May 14, 2010 Heather Harper quote :

"Assistant Town Manager Heather Harper says that the town has asked Vestas, the turbine manufacturer, to come check whether there are any mechanical issues that may be causing elevated noise levels, and is asking residents to compile records of when the sound is worst, to help the town figure out how to respond. “This has been a community project from the beginning,” Harper said. “We’re genuinely concerned and we take the complaints very seriously.” At the same time, Harper noted that “We didn’t expect no sound, but it should meet all governmental standards.” This is, indeed, often the issue: governmental noise standards, which tend to range from 40-50dB, are not always sufficient to avoid negative impacts on the nearest neighbors."

http://aeinews.org/archives/887
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August 3, 2010 letter the town had previosly been warned about the noise :

The Town has previously ( before August of 2010 ) 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)