Engineer says complaints about noise from wind turbines is to be expected

COLUMBUS — David Hessler, an acoustical engineer for Hessler Associates Inc., testified Tuesday, Dec. 1, that he expects some complaints from residents if wind turbines are installed in Champaign County as part of the Buckeye Wind Project.

Hessler testified before the Ohio Power Siting Board, which is in its third week of hearings over a proposal to build 70 electricity-generating wind turbines in Champaign County.

However, Hessler said he worked with Everpower, the New York based company that proposed the project, to minimize the potential noise impact of the turbines on residents. He said he expected only a small percentage of complaints, while most residents should not be affected at all.

Hessler also questioned a recommendation provided by another sound expert who testified earlier that turbines should be sited at least 1.25 miles from a residence to eliminate sound complaints. If that were the case, he argued, it would be almost impossible to site any turbines in the proposed project.

“I think the reality of the situation is that it’s very difficult to avoid putting a wind project near houses in this country,” Hessler said.

Hearings are expected to wrap up today, Dec. 2. A decision by the Power Siting Board is not expected for several weeks.

The project has been controversial in the county, and if approved, it would be the first large-scale wind project site in Ohio.

While many residents have sent letters of support for the project to the OPSB, many other also oppose the turbines. A group of those opponents, known as the Buckeye Wind Project, have scheduled a rally for Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 2 p.m. at Monument Square in downtown Urbana.

After the rally, an informational meeting will take place on Miami Street across from the Depot Coffee House. Janet Dye, who helped organize the rally, said some residents are concerned with issues such as possible effects of the turbines at Grimes Field. She also said the rally is not affiliated with Union Neighbors United, a group that has also opposed the project.

“I think most of us that are planning this are just hoping to make it informational,” Dye said.