Falmouth Wind Turbine Update

Falmouth Wind Turbine Update

Massachusetts and Falmouth both have three provisions in their noise guidelines and statutes.

Falmouth agrees that wind farms meet the 40 decibels A-weighting (dBA) limit which is in agreement with World Health Organization guidance.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires that there be no more than a 10 dBA increase in a specific standard of averaged noise.

Noise modeling projections after the first turbine was constructed, including a ten-day noise testing period by HMMH, found that under certain circumstances the combination of the two turbines might occasionally exceed the 10 dBA increase limit.

In May 2012, additional sound testing was performed by the DEP. It determined that the wind turbines did exceed the 10 dBA threshold to homes further away than the closest homes.

Recently the Town of Falmouth through the FOIA, Freedom of Information Act released a letter from August 3,2010.

The letter spells out in detail what the Town of Falmouth , Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Vestas wind company, state officials and contractors had known since prior to the installation of the wind turbines.

Folks , They all knew of the noise issues prior to the installation.

The Town of Falmouth never gave this letter to the WTOP CBI

The purpose of the Falmouth Wind Turbine Option Analysis Process (WTOP) is to engage in an open, transparent, and collaborative exploration of the range of options for the long-term future of the Town’s two Wind Turbines – Wind I and Wind II.

http://www.cbuilding.org/falmouthwind

The town failed to be open and transparent withholding the letter below. The question needs to be asked why wasn’t this letter presented at the WTOP CBI negotiations ? 

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,

MAContract 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.

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.VItSvCvF-ek