Falmouth Wind Turbine II Trust But Verify Omissions

In 2005 KEMA Inc prepared a wind turbine study and maps that showed placing a single General Electric type 1.5 megawatt turbine at the Wastewater Treatment Plant would raise noise levels above 40 decibels at nearby residential homes. The study also stated that a Special Permit 240-166 was required for additional notification to abutters.

General Electric in 2009 refused to place a single wind turbine in Falmouth because of residential setbacks and ice throw to route 28. The KEMA Inc map clearly shows the GE turbine is too loud.

After the refusal of General Electric to place a single wind turbine the Town of Falmouth purchased a Vestas V-82 type 1.65 megawatt wind turbine. The Vestas turbine producing 110 decibels is also capable of producing wind turbine infrasound or what is called low-frequency noise. Chief Executive Officer of Vestas wind company CEO Engel Ditlev wrote a letter to Karen Ellemann about low-frequency noise. The CEO responded that Vestas does not have the technology to stop the noise. The CEO of Vestas wind company in 2010 admitted their turbines do generate low-frequency noise.

The purchase of the Vestas wind turbine was a sad day for the Town of Falmouth taxpayers. The Massachusets Technology Collaborative today the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center was stuck with two of the Vestas wind turbines for years that could not be sold at auction. Local Falmouth officials at that time put the state agenda of 2000 megawatts of land-based wind turbines by the year 2020 ahead of the health, safety and finances of the Town of Falmouth.

Vestas of America prior to the construction of Falmouth Wind I the first turbine warned by email the turbine generates 110 decibels of noise twice as loud as the General Electric wind turbine.

Despite the KEMA Inc map and the email warning (documented in court), the town withheld the warnings from the public. The wind turbine acting town manager actually stated: "We took on a huge risk and I think we were successful but we're a large community and I think we can take on that risk."

Matters went from bad to worse as wind turbine noise complaints began over Falmouth Wind I. The town went forward with no special permits and purchased a second Vestas wind turbine called Falmouth Wind II. This time in August of 2010 Vestas of America sent a letter to the town explaining the town was ignoring the 110-decibel noise warnings.

The town withheld the 110-decibel noise warning from the public prior to the construction of Falmouth Wind II.

The result of the omission of documents by the Town of Falmouth is eight years of ongoing litigation over wind turbine human annoyance causing health issues.

On May 15, 2012, The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection found that Falmouth's turbines exceed the allowable noise levels.

In May of 2013 Nils Bolgen the program director and facilitator of Falmouth Wind 1 & 2 from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has changed the setbacks of the commercial wind turbines to 2000 feet. The MassCEC admitted the acoustical data provided for turbines installed during the Falmouth time frame were done on an "ad hoc" basis.

The Cape Cod Commision new model bylaw setbacks for one wind turbine like the Falmouth wind turbine is over 3000 feet from residential homes.

Recently the Town of Falmouth spent $14,000.00 of your tax dollars to provide a study to move Falmouth Wind II at a cost of three million dollars.

The study left out the blade inspection of the turbines or possibility of damage when moving the blades. Blade replacement runs 3 million as all three blades have to be replaced.

The study also left out gearbox bearings replacement at around 1 million.

The news media did report the privately owned Vestas wind turbine in Falmouth was out of service during January and February with the blades taken down and bearings replaced. The media report left out the cost of the repairs.

Concerned citizens need to ask why all the omissions from the news media and the politicians?

The answer is simple most politicians look at the public as Mushrooms they just keep you in the dark and feed you only the facts to further the wind turbine agenda at your expense.

In order to go forward with moving Falmouth Wind II within 2100 feet of residential homes, the Town of Falmouth should be able to hold the engineering company responsible for the proposals.

Any engineering firm should agree to be held liable if Falmouth Wind II at the future location exceeds state or local noise regulations for any reason including mechanical or blade noise including shadow flicker.

Professional liability insurance or a performance bond, also known as errors & omissions coverage, provides protection for litigation costs and settlement payments for allegations that the engineer firm work or advice was inadequate, contained errors, or failed to meet specifications.

World Health Organisation: Wind turbines can cause health problems if they result in people being exposed to excessive noise levels, according to new guidelines for Europe that the World Health Organisation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5oN3BzIkeU