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Neighbor News

Falmouth Wind Turbine II Litigation Costs 2019 Into Future

Falmouth requires new federal EPA waiver to move Falmouth Wind II to reflect safety, health, permitting a foreign made turbine ARRA funds.

Effective April 19, 2010 the federal EPA granted a waiver of the Buy America requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2) [manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality] to the Town of Falmouth, Massachusetts for the purchase of a foreign manufactured wind turbine to be installed at its existing wastewater treatment facility site.The turbine is Falmouth Wind II the town second wind turbine.

Based upon information submitted by the Town of Falmouth and its consulting engineer, it has been determined that there are currently no domestic manufactured wind turbines available to meet its proposed project design and performance specifications. ( not true ) # GE

#General Electric a domestic wind turbine company refused to build a single 1.5-megawatt wind turbine in Falmouth, Massachusetts because of residential setbacks and ice throw to Route 28.

Find out what's happening in Falmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative today the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in 2005 paid KEMA Inc. to do a study to install a single wind turbine in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The study stated that the Town of Falmouth had to file Special Permit 240-166 to install a single commercial wind turbine.

The Town of Falmouth never filed the required Special Permit 240-166 for either the first or second Vestas V-82 commercial 1.65-megawatt wind turbine.The Town of Falmouth was warned by email from the manufacturer of the turbines prior to any installations that a single wind turbine generate 110 decibels of noise.

Find out what's happening in Falmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The warning in combination with KEMA Inc decibel map shows noise levels breaking state noise guidelines in residential locations around the turbines.

Falmouth Wind I a Vestas wind turbine was installed in 2010.

The town never disclosed the Vestas email noise warning until 2013.

After noise complaints started over Falmouth Wind I the manufacturer in August of 2010 sent a letter to the town they would not release the second Vestas 110 decibel wind turbine Falmouth Wind II unless the town signed a release. The town hid this letter until 2013.

Falmouth Wind II starting spinning in 2012 with no special permit hidden emails and letters warning the turbines were too loud affecting health and safety financed with ARRA funds.

ARRA funds cannot be used if they create a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation.

The Town of Falmouth hid a KEMA Inc noise map, emails and a warning letter a single wind turbine would break state noise regulations.

The town crossed the line even further by installing the second wind turbine with no acoustic study of two commercial 110 decibels working together.

On October 15, 2018, the town announced plans to take down Falmouth Wind I and move Falmouth Wind II closer to a private owned Vestas 110 decibel wind turbine again with no acoustic study of two Vestas 110 decibel wind turbines operating together.

Falmouth taxpayers have to be made aware that the placement of Falmouth Wind II near the Vestas wind turbine in the Falmouth Technology Park will lead to years and years of more litigation with the same results including the shut down of the private wind turbine.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)was signed into law in response to the economic crisis facing the nation. The Act provided for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that taxpayers knew where their tax dollars are being spent. Spearheaded by the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, the Act contained built-in measures to detect and prevent waste, fraud, or mismanagement of recovery spending.

The U.S, Department of Justice (DOJ), is a federal executive department. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

So, What is Grant Fraud? Simply put, fraud is Lying, cheating, and stealing in the performance of a government grant, contract, or loan.

There is a fine line between Fraud and a Mistake… That line is Intent!

Let’s talk about Whistleblower Protections:

An employee of a non-Federal entity receiving ARRA funds, may not be discharged, demoted, or discriminated against for disclosing any information the employee reasonably believes is evidence of:

A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation of the ARRA funds

OIG-EPA Office of Inspector General

How do I Get Help?

OIG Hotline 1-888-546-8740

Video --Report of Weston & Sampson to Falmouth Select Board Wind Turbine II Relocation Oct 15, 2018 -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb7Cw1I5mtI

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