Falmouth Wind Turbine Omissions Became Lies

Falmouth Wind Turbine Omissions Became Lies

Omissions Have Become Lies Installing Falmouth Wind Turbines

Here is why the Town of Falmouth avoided bylaw 240-166 ( The wind turbine bylaw )

Vestas wind company, state local politicians, contractors and engineers have always known about the distinct multiple sounds from the Falmouth Wind 1 turbine

Here is what we know :

Omission Lie # 1

Prior to the installation of Falmouth Wind 1 there was an attempt to install wind turbines in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. The Mattapoisett study referenced two distinct types of noise A. Regulatory compliance: (Massachusetts state regulations) & B. Human annoyance: (Aside from Massachusetts regulations)

Wind turbines were not placed in Mattapoisett over neighbors objections to the two distinct types of noise

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center then went onto Falmouth with a new noise study that dropped the reference to Human Annoyance or what we know today as low frequency or infra sound. No mention was ever made about two distinct types of noise in any of the Falmouth noise studies.

An omission then which today has become a lie.

The omission of the reference to Human annoyance found in other reports shows how desperate the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center was to unload the politically embarrassing megawatt turbine they owned and could not place anywhere in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center couldn’t even sell the turbines at an auction. The MassCEC had to give Falmouth one million dollars in advance to entice public officials to buy the turbine.

The Falmouth study replaced the Human annoyance warning by designating all the homes within 2500 feet of the turbine.

Figure 17. Estimated Maximum Noise Impact of a 1.5 MW turbine

“The potential visual and noise impacts of the proposed wind turbine are best considered in the context of where existing dwellings are located in relation to the turbine site. A total of 99 residential properties are located within a half-mile radius of the turbine site. All of these properties lie to the west and south of the site.
There are 68 properties located to the west of the turbine site. All 68 properties are located on the west side of Route 28 (Rte. 28). Rte. 28 therefore serves as a barrier between these 68 dwellings and the turbine site. Approximately one third of the 68 dwellings are within 500 feet of Rte. 28, and all are within a quarter mile of Rte. 28.”


Omission Lie # 2

Prior to the installation of Falmouth Wind 1 Vestas wind company had warned the Town of Falmouth the wind turbine could produce up to 110 decibels of noise. The graph above shows 110 decibels of noise equates to the noise of a hard rock band. These noise measurements are taken 30 feet off the ground at the base of the turbine by the owners of the wind turbine Vestas.

The Massachusetts state officials measured the noise levels at the homes of the wind turbine victims and found that the Falmouth Wind 1 turbine does break state regulatory noise levels.

The following letter recently released through a Freedom of Information Act Request shows all those involved in the installation of the turbines knew the turbine was louder than what the specifications said. ( 110 Decibels Equating To An Outdoor 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)

Omission Lie # 3

The experts installing the wind turbines were well aware the Falmouth Wind 1 turbine would exceed published specifications. The public additionally was never informed about a uniform standard of spacing between multiple wind wind turbines. When you install one out of compliance wind turbine what happens when you add a second or more wind turbines. The results of which we know have been devastating to those up to 200 homes around the wind turbines.

Finally we also know that as the turbines age with cars or any other mechanical items they grow louder. Commercial wind turbines blades actually wear out and at some point need replacement over the life of the turbine as the turbine becomes less productive each year.

What has never been told the general public is that as the blades wear out the turbines get louder and louder.