Atlanta, N.Y.
Several Cohocton town residents want to know why they have to call wind developer First Wind to complain about noise from wind turbines instead of town officials.
Residents packed the town board meeting Monday night, hoping to hear how the complaints will be handled.
According to Joe Bob, one of the town’s code enforcement officers, the town’s wind law specifies exactly how much noise can be made at a certain range.
Bob said the town law states the noise cannot reach higher than 50 decibels at the closest non-participating property line. According to town law, no turbines are allowed within 1,500 feet of a property line without a variance.
The law also sets lower limits for some sounds. Any “pure tone” noise, as defined by the law, is limited to 45 decibels.
“It’s in-depth, very methodical, very thorough,” Bob said.
With several residents offering complaints to the town, First Wind and the media, Bob set out how the complaint system works.
First, the town needs to determine the sound levels put out by the turbines. Right now, the town’s wind noise monitoring firm, Massachusetts-based firm Tech Environmental, is trying to monitor 10 turbines around Cohocton for noise at peak operating time.
Bob said the town’s noise monitoring firm tests for noise several ways, including shutting off turbines to check background noise, sheltering the meters from the wind and repeating tests over a period of time.
“The problem is, they’re not done yet,” Bob said, adding until a baseline of how much noise is being created, it will be hard to determine what is above the legal noise limit and what is not.
Once that baseline is set, he said, residents can call a toll-free telephone number to lodge a complaint, which rings into the First Wind office in Cohocton. The town code enforcement office, a First Wind representative and monitoring firms hired by both the town and First Wind — but both paid for by First Wind — will set up at the complainant’s residence and monitor the noise. If the noise is over the limit, the turbine will be shut down at peak noise production.
Residents spoke out againts the process, saying the noise now is too great to wait for a long study to be undertaken.
“They’re making so much noise, I can’t sleep at night,” Graham said. “The thing is reading 82-110 decibels at some times.”
Graham said he thinks he was lied to when First Wind, then called UPC Wind, offered to place turbines on his property.
“They told us we wouldn’t hear anything at 900 feet,” he said. “The noise is so great that my windows are vibrating.”
Graham added he has hired an attorney to pursue the complaint process if needed.
“If you’re the code officer, you should be able to monitor these things and enforce this,” Graham said.
Zigenfus said there is little the town can do but follow the procedure it agreed to.
“We’re bound by what the law is,” he said. “If we violate their rights under a contract, we could end up in even more trouble.
Steve Trude, one of the heads of Cohocton Wind Watch and co-plaintiff in three lawsuits against the town over the development, said he feels the system should not go through First Wind.
“We don’t feel well calling Jane (Towner, a Cohocton-based First Wind official),” Trude said. “The protections need to be tweaked.”
Friday, February 27, 2009
Hartsville blocks wind
Hartsville, N.Y.
Could it be a long, long year for wind developers in Hartsville?
The town board in Hartsville, at a special meeting Wednesday, voted to place a moratorium on all industrial wind development project approvals.
According to town Supervisor Steve Dombert, there are three main areas the town board would like to review before any project is approved:
l A review of financial assistance the town will receive.
l A review of how noise from turbines could impact the local population and property values.
l A comprehensive plan on what the town will do with the money from the project.
The decision came in opposition to half of the town board and officials from Germany-based wind developer E.ON, which asked the board to either hold off on the moratorium or shorten its duration.
“You will see we’ve done a lot of work on the environmental impact,” E.ON representative John Reynolds said. “Noise, birds, bats, roads —all of those things are in that report.”
“We wouldn’t prepare a draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) if we weren’t serious on moving forward with development,” said E.ON attorney Jackie Murray said. “It (the moratorium) sends a message that ... the use will be prohibited.”
Murray said the DEIS covers most of the issues raised by Dombert for the moratorium as well.
Dombert said the DEIS will be discussed at a Steuben County Industrial Development Agency meeting at noon today.
David Pullen, the town’s attorney, said the legislation would not put a damper on the SCIDA process, but will allow the town to review its wind law and make changes if needed.
“”It’s not a reflection if the E.ON proposal is a good one or a bad proposal,” Pullen said, adding only the town needs to review its law to make sure the town keeps its legal standing.
Information on the project has not been forthcoming, Dombert said, and it was not until a moratorium was discussed that information began to flow.
“Lo and behold, it led to our face-to-face meeting,” he said.
Dombert said the impact of the moratorium will hopefully be negligible on the project.
“We’re not in favor of delaying this thing anymore than necessary,” he said, adding he would just like “to withhold that power in the town.”
Reynolds said the timing of the moratorium discussion could still be misconstrued.
“It seems ironic that we started ramping up ... about the time we’re doing that, there is a discussion of a moratorium,” he said.
Board member Ben Ray proposed a six-month moratorium on the project, which he said would allow time for review but not hold up construction as a year-long moratorium might.
The board approved the year-long moratorium as written at the meeting.
Could it be a long, long year for wind developers in Hartsville?
The town board in Hartsville, at a special meeting Wednesday, voted to place a moratorium on all industrial wind development project approvals.
According to town Supervisor Steve Dombert, there are three main areas the town board would like to review before any project is approved:
l A review of financial assistance the town will receive.
l A review of how noise from turbines could impact the local population and property values.
l A comprehensive plan on what the town will do with the money from the project.
The decision came in opposition to half of the town board and officials from Germany-based wind developer E.ON, which asked the board to either hold off on the moratorium or shorten its duration.
“You will see we’ve done a lot of work on the environmental impact,” E.ON representative John Reynolds said. “Noise, birds, bats, roads —all of those things are in that report.”
“We wouldn’t prepare a draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) if we weren’t serious on moving forward with development,” said E.ON attorney Jackie Murray said. “It (the moratorium) sends a message that ... the use will be prohibited.”
Murray said the DEIS covers most of the issues raised by Dombert for the moratorium as well.
Dombert said the DEIS will be discussed at a Steuben County Industrial Development Agency meeting at noon today.
David Pullen, the town’s attorney, said the legislation would not put a damper on the SCIDA process, but will allow the town to review its wind law and make changes if needed.
“”It’s not a reflection if the E.ON proposal is a good one or a bad proposal,” Pullen said, adding only the town needs to review its law to make sure the town keeps its legal standing.
Information on the project has not been forthcoming, Dombert said, and it was not until a moratorium was discussed that information began to flow.
“Lo and behold, it led to our face-to-face meeting,” he said.
Dombert said the impact of the moratorium will hopefully be negligible on the project.
“We’re not in favor of delaying this thing anymore than necessary,” he said, adding he would just like “to withhold that power in the town.”
Reynolds said the timing of the moratorium discussion could still be misconstrued.
“It seems ironic that we started ramping up ... about the time we’re doing that, there is a discussion of a moratorium,” he said.
Board member Ben Ray proposed a six-month moratorium on the project, which he said would allow time for review but not hold up construction as a year-long moratorium might.
The board approved the year-long moratorium as written at the meeting.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Prattsburgh residents get warning on wind turbines
PRATTSBURGH — Wind turbines will disturb your peace and quiet, neighboring town residents warned the Prattsburgh town board last week.
"It's like a jet engine landing right behind you," Hal Graham, of Cohocton, said. "It's constant noise."
Graham leased land to First Wind for its 50-turbine wind farm in the town of Cohocton. Tuesday, he spoke during the Prattsburgh board's public hearing on a wind energy facilities permit there. The permit will stipulate certain terms and charge a building permit fee for any wind facilities in the town.
The only wind project currently being considered in Prattsburgh is EcoGen, an East Aurora-based developer. In December, First Wind announced a year's hiatus in its plan
to put up a 36-turbine wind farm in Prattsburgh and recently closed its office.
However,FirstWind did complete its larger project in Cohocton, beginning operations there earlier this year.
Graham said he was a strong supporter of wind energy and studied any potential noise problems extensively by observing other wind farms in the state and asking questions.
Both he and a neighbor each have a turbine on their properties, he said.
"When I signed the contract, I was assured there was no noise," he said. "Well, people can't sleep at night, in the winter, with the windows closed. As the wind speed increases, the noise level rises. It rattles our windows ... It's like a jet engine going full blast."
The noise can be heard in neighboring hamlets of Ingleside, Atlanta and North Cohocton, according to Graham, and other Cohocton residents at the meeting. Other residents complained about a lack of sleep and disturbed animals.
Steve Trude, president of the project's opponents, Cohocton Wind Watch, said a turbine located within the established setback can be easily heard in his home.
"In the middle of the night, I can hear the blade wash," he said. "We've lost the gift we had, and it was the silence in the night."
Residents said they've been told the reason the turbines are louder than expected is they are larger than originally planned.
Contacted after the meeting, First Wind Corporate Communications Director John Lamontagne said the firm is aware of the noise problem and urged residents to call the hotline number already set up to log any complaints about the project.
"First Wind takes complaints about sound or other issues seriously," Lamontagne said. "First Wind senior managers have met one-on-one with many of the individual households involved to better understand their concerns.
We're also working closely with town officials to keep them apprised of the progress."
Lamontagne said the town has hired a sound consultant paid by First Wind to conduct sound monitoring. The monitoring could take several months, he said.
But one Cohocton resident warned the tests so far have been when the turbines were turning more slowly.
Cohocton residents said they spoke out in Prattsburgh because the EcoGen project also includes the larger turbines, reducing its original plan of 50 turbines to 16 in Prattsburgh and 18 in the town of Italy.
Other county residents attended the meeting, including Hartsville Town Supervisor Steven Dombertz. Hartsville is one of four towns in the county currently involved in wind negotiations. In addition to Cohocton and Prattsburgh, the town of Howard is also working with wind farm developers.
Prattsburgh Town Supervisor Harold McConnell told residents before the public hearing the board would delay a final vote on the permit due to changes requested by EcoGen and town attorney John Leyden.
The board has scheduled another meeting to dicuss the changes and will hold a second public hearing on the permit, he said.McConnell said he and other board members will visit the problem areas.
"Come when there's a wind," Graham said. "Don't let them buffalo you. You know, I wanted to do something for the ecology. And now I can't sleep at night."
"It's like a jet engine landing right behind you," Hal Graham, of Cohocton, said. "It's constant noise."
Graham leased land to First Wind for its 50-turbine wind farm in the town of Cohocton. Tuesday, he spoke during the Prattsburgh board's public hearing on a wind energy facilities permit there. The permit will stipulate certain terms and charge a building permit fee for any wind facilities in the town.
The only wind project currently being considered in Prattsburgh is EcoGen, an East Aurora-based developer. In December, First Wind announced a year's hiatus in its plan
to put up a 36-turbine wind farm in Prattsburgh and recently closed its office.
However,FirstWind did complete its larger project in Cohocton, beginning operations there earlier this year.
Graham said he was a strong supporter of wind energy and studied any potential noise problems extensively by observing other wind farms in the state and asking questions.
Both he and a neighbor each have a turbine on their properties, he said.
"When I signed the contract, I was assured there was no noise," he said. "Well, people can't sleep at night, in the winter, with the windows closed. As the wind speed increases, the noise level rises. It rattles our windows ... It's like a jet engine going full blast."
The noise can be heard in neighboring hamlets of Ingleside, Atlanta and North Cohocton, according to Graham, and other Cohocton residents at the meeting. Other residents complained about a lack of sleep and disturbed animals.
Steve Trude, president of the project's opponents, Cohocton Wind Watch, said a turbine located within the established setback can be easily heard in his home.
"In the middle of the night, I can hear the blade wash," he said. "We've lost the gift we had, and it was the silence in the night."
Residents said they've been told the reason the turbines are louder than expected is they are larger than originally planned.
Contacted after the meeting, First Wind Corporate Communications Director John Lamontagne said the firm is aware of the noise problem and urged residents to call the hotline number already set up to log any complaints about the project.
"First Wind takes complaints about sound or other issues seriously," Lamontagne said. "First Wind senior managers have met one-on-one with many of the individual households involved to better understand their concerns.
We're also working closely with town officials to keep them apprised of the progress."
Lamontagne said the town has hired a sound consultant paid by First Wind to conduct sound monitoring. The monitoring could take several months, he said.
But one Cohocton resident warned the tests so far have been when the turbines were turning more slowly.
Cohocton residents said they spoke out in Prattsburgh because the EcoGen project also includes the larger turbines, reducing its original plan of 50 turbines to 16 in Prattsburgh and 18 in the town of Italy.
Other county residents attended the meeting, including Hartsville Town Supervisor Steven Dombertz. Hartsville is one of four towns in the county currently involved in wind negotiations. In addition to Cohocton and Prattsburgh, the town of Howard is also working with wind farm developers.
Prattsburgh Town Supervisor Harold McConnell told residents before the public hearing the board would delay a final vote on the permit due to changes requested by EcoGen and town attorney John Leyden.
The board has scheduled another meeting to dicuss the changes and will hold a second public hearing on the permit, he said.McConnell said he and other board members will visit the problem areas.
"Come when there's a wind," Graham said. "Don't let them buffalo you. You know, I wanted to do something for the ecology. And now I can't sleep at night."
Power grid operator: no power so far to state grid from Cohocton
Cohocton, N.Y.
After years of development, construction, anxiety and lawsuits, the hills surrounding Cohocton have sprouted 50 commercial wind turbines.
Now that First Wind has wrapped up its construction in Cohocton and the turbines are now spinning in the breeze, is that energy being sold?
According to the grid operator, no. And that’s not expected to change anytime soon.
Richard Barlette, manager of government affairs for the New York Independent System Operator — the not-for-profit company that moderates the state’s power grid and gives all power projects the green light — said no power generated at the site has been sold for consumption.
“They’re currently under the connection process,” he said. “As far as ‘flipping the switch,’ a ball park figure is December 2010.”
That connection process contains several steps, Barlette said, which are long and complicated.
“It’s not just sticking a turbine in the ground one day and producing electricity,” he said. “Every plant you build goes through the process.”
The biggest test, he said, is seeing if the grid can handle the extra power — 125 megawatts, in Cohocton’s case.
“We need to know the impact and reliability on the grid. We need to make sure it doesn’t negatively affect the grid.”
NYISO’s word comes in contrast to what town officials have heard from First Wind in the past.
Jack Zigenfus, Cohocton town supervisor, was last told by First Wind that the project was ready to transmit power and he thought it was.
“I received a letter that it had met all the criteria from all the regulatory agencies,” Zigenfus said. “They have to be operating to be obligated to pay the town.”
Zigenfus said the town has received at least $1.81 million from the project so far. The first payment — of $725,000 — came to the town in 2007 from the project as part of the community host agreement, with an additional $937,500 entering the town’s coffers by the end of 2008. First Wind also transfered to the town $150,000 for historical remediation, which the town and village boards hope to put towards renovating the Larrowe House, which currently houses the town and village clerk offices.
He also said he heard from officials at the Wayland-Cohocton Central School District it received the first Payment in Lieu of Taxes check from First Wind.
Cohocton officials applauded First Wind for “throwing the switch” on the 50-turbine wind energy development in December, while according to John Lamontagne, director of corporate communications for First Wind, the project was believed to be up and running in 2008.
"The time frame was to be by the end of the year,” he said in a Dec. 16, 2008 phone interview.
According to company officials in 2007 — when the company was known as UPC Wind — the project was expected to be up and running about a year after construction began.
Dirt first started moving on the project Sept. 18, 2007, with tower construction commencing in November. Work on the first two towers, complete with turbine blades, was finished Jan. 3. Of the 50 towers, 47 are spread across Lent, Pine and Dutch hills, dominating much of the view around Cohocton, North Cohocton and Atlanta. The three remaining turbines are on Brown Hill to the south of the village, where the project connects to the regional energy grid.
First Wind officials did not immediately return messages for comment.
After years of development, construction, anxiety and lawsuits, the hills surrounding Cohocton have sprouted 50 commercial wind turbines.
Now that First Wind has wrapped up its construction in Cohocton and the turbines are now spinning in the breeze, is that energy being sold?
According to the grid operator, no. And that’s not expected to change anytime soon.
Richard Barlette, manager of government affairs for the New York Independent System Operator — the not-for-profit company that moderates the state’s power grid and gives all power projects the green light — said no power generated at the site has been sold for consumption.
“They’re currently under the connection process,” he said. “As far as ‘flipping the switch,’ a ball park figure is December 2010.”
That connection process contains several steps, Barlette said, which are long and complicated.
“It’s not just sticking a turbine in the ground one day and producing electricity,” he said. “Every plant you build goes through the process.”
The biggest test, he said, is seeing if the grid can handle the extra power — 125 megawatts, in Cohocton’s case.
“We need to know the impact and reliability on the grid. We need to make sure it doesn’t negatively affect the grid.”
NYISO’s word comes in contrast to what town officials have heard from First Wind in the past.
Jack Zigenfus, Cohocton town supervisor, was last told by First Wind that the project was ready to transmit power and he thought it was.
“I received a letter that it had met all the criteria from all the regulatory agencies,” Zigenfus said. “They have to be operating to be obligated to pay the town.”
Zigenfus said the town has received at least $1.81 million from the project so far. The first payment — of $725,000 — came to the town in 2007 from the project as part of the community host agreement, with an additional $937,500 entering the town’s coffers by the end of 2008. First Wind also transfered to the town $150,000 for historical remediation, which the town and village boards hope to put towards renovating the Larrowe House, which currently houses the town and village clerk offices.
He also said he heard from officials at the Wayland-Cohocton Central School District it received the first Payment in Lieu of Taxes check from First Wind.
Cohocton officials applauded First Wind for “throwing the switch” on the 50-turbine wind energy development in December, while according to John Lamontagne, director of corporate communications for First Wind, the project was believed to be up and running in 2008.
"The time frame was to be by the end of the year,” he said in a Dec. 16, 2008 phone interview.
According to company officials in 2007 — when the company was known as UPC Wind — the project was expected to be up and running about a year after construction began.
Dirt first started moving on the project Sept. 18, 2007, with tower construction commencing in November. Work on the first two towers, complete with turbine blades, was finished Jan. 3. Of the 50 towers, 47 are spread across Lent, Pine and Dutch hills, dominating much of the view around Cohocton, North Cohocton and Atlanta. The three remaining turbines are on Brown Hill to the south of the village, where the project connects to the regional energy grid.
First Wind officials did not immediately return messages for comment.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
WIND FARMER REGRETS HE GOT INVOLVED
Says he has trouble sleeping due to the noise.
A Town of Cohocton man tells us that he has a turbine on his property and that there is a wind turbine next door, and because of the turbines, he has trouble sleeping at night. He says he has asked the wind companies to turn the wind turbine off, and he says they won't.
That wind farmer now describes having a wind turbine as the biggest mistake of his life. His complaint about noise is not uncommon. All over the state where the giant turbines are installed, people complain of the noise as well as the fact that shadows often cause problems. The turbines also tend to ruin any beauty on the countryside.
http://www.canisteovalleynews.com/index.php/general/newsmaker/8825-Anonymous-wind-farmer.html
A Town of Cohocton man tells us that he has a turbine on his property and that there is a wind turbine next door, and because of the turbines, he has trouble sleeping at night. He says he has asked the wind companies to turn the wind turbine off, and he says they won't.
That wind farmer now describes having a wind turbine as the biggest mistake of his life. His complaint about noise is not uncommon. All over the state where the giant turbines are installed, people complain of the noise as well as the fact that shadows often cause problems. The turbines also tend to ruin any beauty on the countryside.
http://www.canisteovalleynews.com/index.php/general/newsmaker/8825-Anonymous-wind-farmer.html
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Blade breaks off wind turbine
PERKINS TOWNSHIP — Three wind turbines have stopped spinning because the blades on one of them broke apart on Saturday afternoon outside Perkins High School.
No one was hurt when parts of the fiberglass blades came off the turbine as it spun, winging the blades up to 40 yards away from the silver monopole tower, near the high school at 3714 Campbell St.
The remaining two will not spin until they are inspected and officials figure out exactly what caused the blades to break.
"We're still waiting for a complete investigation to try to determine what went wrong," said Perkins school Superintendent Jim Gunner.
"First and foremost, we've got to figure out what happened," he said. "Once we know what happened and we can safely put the two other turbines back on line, we'll do that."
Based on initial reports and photos, it sounded as though a wind gust may have caused one of the three spinning blades to flex and hit the monopole, said Joseph Ianni, chief executive officer of turbine maker ReDriven Power Inc., based in Iroquois, Ontario.
Hitting the pole could cause the blade, which is made of fiberglass with a foam core, to break and in just a few rotations throw off the balance of the three spinning blades, causing them also to hit the monopole, Ianni said. He cautioned all speculation was preliminary and no ReDriven workers had seen the blades, which were being stored at Wilkes & Co.
"We haven't seen this particular problem occur in the past at all," Ianni said. ReDriven has about 30 of the 20-kilowatt turbines in the field and a sales network of about 100 dealers in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Based on a preliminary examination, it did not appear the monopole or its foundation were damaged, Gunner said. The turbines are geared to start generating power with wind speed of about 4 mph.
Yesterday, Gunner convened Perkins Building and Ground Maintenance Supervisor Greg Linkenbach, Honeywell consultant Chris Hess, Wilkes & Co. Vice President David L. Rengel and John Fellhauer, of Fellhauer Mechanical Systems Inc.. to begin examining the blades, turbine and tower.
Rengel and Linkenbach said they were out at the turbines on Saturday and everything appeared in working order. A ReDriven worker also was at the site last week as the turbines were hooked up to the schools' power network, Ianni said.
The three turbines were installed Jan. 23 as part of major renovations designed to save on energy bills in Perkins Local Schools.
The turbines' electrical connections were hooked up and ready on Wednesday to begin generating power for the school, its field house and maintenance shop, and nearby Briar Middle School.
However, Saturday — with winds gusting out of the south — was the first day truly windy enough to test the machines.
The turbines became an attraction, with curiosity seekers driving into the high school parking lot to see the three, whose rotating 20-foot blades sometimes appeared to be synchronized, the officials said.
"It was kind of like a community event, people coming through," Rengel said. "Everybody was impressed. They said, 'Geez, these things are quiet. They look neat.'"
One 4-foot section of a blade was found in the high school student parking lot, where it hit about 20 yards away from the pole, then skidded another 20 yards, Gunner said. Another was almost directly beneath the turbine, while the third piece sailed about 25 to 30 yards into the end zone of Perkins' football stadium.
The other two can be shut down by creating an electric load within the generator, essentially locking the blades into place. The turbines also then turn to be off the direction of the wind, Rengel said.
No one was hurt when parts of the fiberglass blades came off the turbine as it spun, winging the blades up to 40 yards away from the silver monopole tower, near the high school at 3714 Campbell St.
The remaining two will not spin until they are inspected and officials figure out exactly what caused the blades to break.
"We're still waiting for a complete investigation to try to determine what went wrong," said Perkins school Superintendent Jim Gunner.
"First and foremost, we've got to figure out what happened," he said. "Once we know what happened and we can safely put the two other turbines back on line, we'll do that."
Based on initial reports and photos, it sounded as though a wind gust may have caused one of the three spinning blades to flex and hit the monopole, said Joseph Ianni, chief executive officer of turbine maker ReDriven Power Inc., based in Iroquois, Ontario.
Hitting the pole could cause the blade, which is made of fiberglass with a foam core, to break and in just a few rotations throw off the balance of the three spinning blades, causing them also to hit the monopole, Ianni said. He cautioned all speculation was preliminary and no ReDriven workers had seen the blades, which were being stored at Wilkes & Co.
"We haven't seen this particular problem occur in the past at all," Ianni said. ReDriven has about 30 of the 20-kilowatt turbines in the field and a sales network of about 100 dealers in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Based on a preliminary examination, it did not appear the monopole or its foundation were damaged, Gunner said. The turbines are geared to start generating power with wind speed of about 4 mph.
Yesterday, Gunner convened Perkins Building and Ground Maintenance Supervisor Greg Linkenbach, Honeywell consultant Chris Hess, Wilkes & Co. Vice President David L. Rengel and John Fellhauer, of Fellhauer Mechanical Systems Inc.. to begin examining the blades, turbine and tower.
Rengel and Linkenbach said they were out at the turbines on Saturday and everything appeared in working order. A ReDriven worker also was at the site last week as the turbines were hooked up to the schools' power network, Ianni said.
The three turbines were installed Jan. 23 as part of major renovations designed to save on energy bills in Perkins Local Schools.
The turbines' electrical connections were hooked up and ready on Wednesday to begin generating power for the school, its field house and maintenance shop, and nearby Briar Middle School.
However, Saturday — with winds gusting out of the south — was the first day truly windy enough to test the machines.
The turbines became an attraction, with curiosity seekers driving into the high school parking lot to see the three, whose rotating 20-foot blades sometimes appeared to be synchronized, the officials said.
"It was kind of like a community event, people coming through," Rengel said. "Everybody was impressed. They said, 'Geez, these things are quiet. They look neat.'"
One 4-foot section of a blade was found in the high school student parking lot, where it hit about 20 yards away from the pole, then skidded another 20 yards, Gunner said. Another was almost directly beneath the turbine, while the third piece sailed about 25 to 30 yards into the end zone of Perkins' football stadium.
The other two can be shut down by creating an electric load within the generator, essentially locking the blades into place. The turbines also then turn to be off the direction of the wind, Rengel said.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Pa. couple sues wind farm over turbine noise
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) _ An Altoona-area couple is suing a wind farm because they say the turbines’ “whooshing” and “screeching” keeps them awake at night.[There are Gamesa wind turbine plants in Falls and Bucks County Community College.]Todd and Jill Stull filed the civil lawsuit against Gamesa Energy and its subsidiary, Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm LLC.On Friday, Blair County Judge Daniel Milliron dismissed the counts against Gamesa, the company that made and installed the turbines. But the lawsuit against Allegheny Ridge remains largely intact because Milliron believes the complaints deal with operational problems. Allegheny Ridge is responsible for operating the wind farm.The Stulls argue the companies knew the 2,000-foot required setback from private property would not protect residents from the turbines’ noise and vibrations.There are Gamesa wind turbine plants in Falls and Bucks County Community College.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
EverPower puts Howard on fast track
Howard, N.Y.
There’s still a lot of work left to do, but Howard town board members are looking forward to this spring.
That’s because after two lawsuits and years of work, wind developer EverPower Renewables is planning on breaking ground on a 25-turbine wind project.
There had been little news for months from the company, town Attorney Karl Anderson said.
“All of a sudden, we get communication back two weeks ago wanting everything done,” Anderson said.
The board met Tuesday morning to discuss the project and the agreements needed before even a shovelful of dirt moves.
According to town Attorney Karl Anderson, at least six agreements will need to be developed:
l A Community Host Agreement, which will provide the town with $2,700 per megawatt of wind power, payable annually when the project is completed. The rate will increase 3-percent each year for 20 years. The first payment, if the planned number of turbines are constructed, would be $168,750.
l A cultural mitigation agreement, which will provide the town with $55,000 when the project begins.
l An agreement to repair roads damaged by the heavy equipment involved in construction.
l An escrow account agreement, which will define how funds will be transferred
l An emergency response plan, to tell how police, fire and ambulance crews will respond to emergencies at and around the turbines during construction and once the project is online.
l An agreement on monitoring the site during construction and afterwards by engineering and sound monitoring firms.
One of the biggest questions for the town board was when the money from EverPower would come.
“I don’t think we’re out of line ... wanting some of that up front,” town Supervisor Don Evia said. “I think there’s precedent.”
Evia noted other wind projects across the state, including Cohocton, had front-loaded payment plans — more money at the beginning of the project — and payments often begin before the project is done.
“It’s easier for them to get their money now,” Anderson said, recalling a conversation with EverPower officials. “I think there’s room for negotiation there. The townspeople want to see something in hand.”
Another major point of contention for the board is how the megawatt rating is calculated. Anderson was unsure how the current agreement drafts would calculate the figures, adding company officials wanted to wait until the project was finished to the output could be certified.
Evia added other municipalities do not base their agreements on how much electricity is produced.
“It’s not a question of active production, it’s rated potential,” he said.
The board went into executive session to make a call to EverPower to further negotiations. More discussion is expected at the next town board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 11.
There’s still a lot of work left to do, but Howard town board members are looking forward to this spring.
That’s because after two lawsuits and years of work, wind developer EverPower Renewables is planning on breaking ground on a 25-turbine wind project.
There had been little news for months from the company, town Attorney Karl Anderson said.
“All of a sudden, we get communication back two weeks ago wanting everything done,” Anderson said.
The board met Tuesday morning to discuss the project and the agreements needed before even a shovelful of dirt moves.
According to town Attorney Karl Anderson, at least six agreements will need to be developed:
l A Community Host Agreement, which will provide the town with $2,700 per megawatt of wind power, payable annually when the project is completed. The rate will increase 3-percent each year for 20 years. The first payment, if the planned number of turbines are constructed, would be $168,750.
l A cultural mitigation agreement, which will provide the town with $55,000 when the project begins.
l An agreement to repair roads damaged by the heavy equipment involved in construction.
l An escrow account agreement, which will define how funds will be transferred
l An emergency response plan, to tell how police, fire and ambulance crews will respond to emergencies at and around the turbines during construction and once the project is online.
l An agreement on monitoring the site during construction and afterwards by engineering and sound monitoring firms.
One of the biggest questions for the town board was when the money from EverPower would come.
“I don’t think we’re out of line ... wanting some of that up front,” town Supervisor Don Evia said. “I think there’s precedent.”
Evia noted other wind projects across the state, including Cohocton, had front-loaded payment plans — more money at the beginning of the project — and payments often begin before the project is done.
“It’s easier for them to get their money now,” Anderson said, recalling a conversation with EverPower officials. “I think there’s room for negotiation there. The townspeople want to see something in hand.”
Another major point of contention for the board is how the megawatt rating is calculated. Anderson was unsure how the current agreement drafts would calculate the figures, adding company officials wanted to wait until the project was finished to the output could be certified.
Evia added other municipalities do not base their agreements on how much electricity is produced.
“It’s not a question of active production, it’s rated potential,” he said.
The board went into executive session to make a call to EverPower to further negotiations. More discussion is expected at the next town board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 11.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Cohocton man complains of turbine noise
Son of town councilman says high-pitched noise keeps him awake
Before the turbines have been fully placed online, the first noise and shadow flicker complaint was brought before the Cohocton Town Board Tuesday night by David Hunt of Kirkwood Road.
Hunt complained that the noise of the turbines, which he said has a constant high-pitched sound like a train whistle, an occasional roar and a loud whooshing sound, has regularly kept him awake at night since the blades started spinning in August. Although he cannot see turbines from his home, he said he can hear about a dozen turbines between a half-mile and three-quarters of a mile away.
Hunt stated that although he approached First Wind representatives on the issue, they said that the turbines are in compliance with the town’s local ordinance on the noise level, which is 45 decibels.
Hunt suggested that the town find a way to change the law to a more reasonable decibel level.
Hunt’s father, town board member Wayne Hunt, said, “Changing the law is not going to change the sound.”
David asked, “What am I going to do with a house I can’t live in?”
Cohocton Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wise answered, “That’s a good question.” But Wise also said that his best solution to getting a change in the local law is to address the problem to the planning board first, which then recommends changes to local laws to the town board.
Besides his noise complaint, Hunt said after the meeting that six of his neighbors have also complained about the turbines, but their complaints are mostly due to the shadow of the turbine blades flickering on their property and in their homes.
Hunt said that he will be addressing the planning board. “I don’t know what else to do,” he said. Hunt has lived on Kirkwood Road for the past nine years.
Before the turbines have been fully placed online, the first noise and shadow flicker complaint was brought before the Cohocton Town Board Tuesday night by David Hunt of Kirkwood Road.
Hunt complained that the noise of the turbines, which he said has a constant high-pitched sound like a train whistle, an occasional roar and a loud whooshing sound, has regularly kept him awake at night since the blades started spinning in August. Although he cannot see turbines from his home, he said he can hear about a dozen turbines between a half-mile and three-quarters of a mile away.
Hunt stated that although he approached First Wind representatives on the issue, they said that the turbines are in compliance with the town’s local ordinance on the noise level, which is 45 decibels.
Hunt suggested that the town find a way to change the law to a more reasonable decibel level.
Hunt’s father, town board member Wayne Hunt, said, “Changing the law is not going to change the sound.”
David asked, “What am I going to do with a house I can’t live in?”
Cohocton Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wise answered, “That’s a good question.” But Wise also said that his best solution to getting a change in the local law is to address the problem to the planning board first, which then recommends changes to local laws to the town board.
Besides his noise complaint, Hunt said after the meeting that six of his neighbors have also complained about the turbines, but their complaints are mostly due to the shadow of the turbine blades flickering on their property and in their homes.
Hunt said that he will be addressing the planning board. “I don’t know what else to do,” he said. Hunt has lived on Kirkwood Road for the past nine years.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Deal reached on wind project
Bath, N.Y.
A new tax incentive is in place for the stalled First Wind wind farm project in Prattsburgh, pending what officials hope is the final approval by the Naples Central School District next week.
The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency signed on to a new payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement that will provide more money to the Prattsburgh and Naples school districts while also increasing the town of Prattsburgh’s share.
The two school districts challenged an earlier PILOT for the proposed 36-turbine project in early 2008, charging it unfairly reduced their share of payments from First Wind, then known as UPC.
PILOT agreements typically allow an industry to operate for up to 20 years without paying the full value of its property tax. Instead, the businesses pay a fee that gradually increases to full taxation.
Generally, the county and towns split 52-53 percent of the annual payments, with the school districts taking in 47-48 percent of the payments.
However, the total payment had been reduced to accommodate an independent payment by First Wind to the town of Prattsburgh, meaning the two districts could lose a combined total of nearly $2.6 million during the course of the agreement.
The impasse led to two lawsuits, one of which was settled recently by the Prattsburgh Central school district, according to SCIDA Executive Director James Sherron. The second, brought by the Naples district, is expected to be settled next week, Sherron told the SCIDA board.
Sherron declined to give exact details of the new PILOT, but said the town of Prattsburgh has agreed to forego the independent payment in favor of receiving roughly 47 percent of the total payments.
That separate payment to the town amounted to more than $4 million more over 20 years.
Sherron later said concerns over some of the language in the agreement also have been straightened out.
One portion of the agreement reportedly referred to payments being based on turbines "in service" -- leading to concern the payments could be reduced if First Wind did not use all the turbines it sets up.
"No, this is for the entire project," Sherron said. "When the turbines are up, they count."
First Wind officials were not available for comment on the new agreement.
Sherron said the proposed agreement must also be approved by EcoGen, the second wind farm developer in Prattsburgh.
SCIDA’s action marks the first upbeat note for First Wind after a year of controversy, which still include lawsuits challenging eminent domain proceedings brought by the town board, and charges of improper, unethical action by town Supervisor Harold McConnell.
In addition, First Wind also is one of two wind farm developers currently under investigation by the state Attorney General.
A new tax incentive is in place for the stalled First Wind wind farm project in Prattsburgh, pending what officials hope is the final approval by the Naples Central School District next week.
The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency signed on to a new payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement that will provide more money to the Prattsburgh and Naples school districts while also increasing the town of Prattsburgh’s share.
The two school districts challenged an earlier PILOT for the proposed 36-turbine project in early 2008, charging it unfairly reduced their share of payments from First Wind, then known as UPC.
PILOT agreements typically allow an industry to operate for up to 20 years without paying the full value of its property tax. Instead, the businesses pay a fee that gradually increases to full taxation.
Generally, the county and towns split 52-53 percent of the annual payments, with the school districts taking in 47-48 percent of the payments.
However, the total payment had been reduced to accommodate an independent payment by First Wind to the town of Prattsburgh, meaning the two districts could lose a combined total of nearly $2.6 million during the course of the agreement.
The impasse led to two lawsuits, one of which was settled recently by the Prattsburgh Central school district, according to SCIDA Executive Director James Sherron. The second, brought by the Naples district, is expected to be settled next week, Sherron told the SCIDA board.
Sherron declined to give exact details of the new PILOT, but said the town of Prattsburgh has agreed to forego the independent payment in favor of receiving roughly 47 percent of the total payments.
That separate payment to the town amounted to more than $4 million more over 20 years.
Sherron later said concerns over some of the language in the agreement also have been straightened out.
One portion of the agreement reportedly referred to payments being based on turbines "in service" -- leading to concern the payments could be reduced if First Wind did not use all the turbines it sets up.
"No, this is for the entire project," Sherron said. "When the turbines are up, they count."
First Wind officials were not available for comment on the new agreement.
Sherron said the proposed agreement must also be approved by EcoGen, the second wind farm developer in Prattsburgh.
SCIDA’s action marks the first upbeat note for First Wind after a year of controversy, which still include lawsuits challenging eminent domain proceedings brought by the town board, and charges of improper, unethical action by town Supervisor Harold McConnell.
In addition, First Wind also is one of two wind farm developers currently under investigation by the state Attorney General.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Orleans wind group to focus on safety
LAFARGEVILLE — The town of Orleans Citizen Wind Committee was encouraged to focus on public health and safety at its first meeting Thursday night.
"The primary concern of any project is public safety," Councilman Dean T. Morrow told the committee. "We want to make sure that you all focus on our objective — that where we place windmills is not going to harm people and the environment."
He said the Town Council will consider the economic impact of a project in the town.
"The big issue is with setbacks," Councilman Thomas A. Johnston Jr. said. "With setbacks comes many things."
Committee members agreed that they wanted to examine audible and low frequency noise, snow and ice throw, effects on underground aquifers, the possibility of releasing radon gas and shadow flicker. The committee will ask experts on those subjects to give presentations and will look for scientific evidence.
The committee's final product will be facts and recommendations to turn over to the Town Council for integration into a revised zoning law.
Mr. Morrow said there have been complaints the committee might not be balanced enough.
"But if you take the scientific approach and keep from taking a certain bent or following predisposed notions and keep your mind open, I think you can find the facts," he said. "I think a lot of good will come from this."
The committee, which has five members, is open to having several more. The members agreed to meet from 7 to 9 p.m. every other Friday.
The members hoped to complete the fact-finding process far in advance of the year timeline that had been discussed.
Mr. Johnston encouraged them to move as quickly as possible. He is a member of the group of officials from different taxing jurisdictions that has begun work on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for wind farms. The group last met in June before the Horse Creek Wind Farm application was suspended by the developer, Iberdrola SA of Spain.
"It has stalled because of the environmental impact study," he said. "As soon as it's done, they'll go back at the PILOT."
The committee's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Friday at the town office. Members will appoint a chairperson and will begin a discussion about noise.
"The primary concern of any project is public safety," Councilman Dean T. Morrow told the committee. "We want to make sure that you all focus on our objective — that where we place windmills is not going to harm people and the environment."
He said the Town Council will consider the economic impact of a project in the town.
"The big issue is with setbacks," Councilman Thomas A. Johnston Jr. said. "With setbacks comes many things."
Committee members agreed that they wanted to examine audible and low frequency noise, snow and ice throw, effects on underground aquifers, the possibility of releasing radon gas and shadow flicker. The committee will ask experts on those subjects to give presentations and will look for scientific evidence.
The committee's final product will be facts and recommendations to turn over to the Town Council for integration into a revised zoning law.
Mr. Morrow said there have been complaints the committee might not be balanced enough.
"But if you take the scientific approach and keep from taking a certain bent or following predisposed notions and keep your mind open, I think you can find the facts," he said. "I think a lot of good will come from this."
The committee, which has five members, is open to having several more. The members agreed to meet from 7 to 9 p.m. every other Friday.
The members hoped to complete the fact-finding process far in advance of the year timeline that had been discussed.
Mr. Johnston encouraged them to move as quickly as possible. He is a member of the group of officials from different taxing jurisdictions that has begun work on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for wind farms. The group last met in June before the Horse Creek Wind Farm application was suspended by the developer, Iberdrola SA of Spain.
"It has stalled because of the environmental impact study," he said. "As soon as it's done, they'll go back at the PILOT."
The committee's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Friday at the town office. Members will appoint a chairperson and will begin a discussion about noise.
Congress wrong in providing "stimulus" money for wind energy
Investment in energy efficient light bulbs would save more than 5 times as much electricity in 5 years as an equal $ investment in a wind turbine would produce in 20 years.
This fact is clearly demonstrated with simple arithmetic!
First, calculate the potential output from a wind turbine. A wind turbine with capacity of 1 Megawatt (or 1,000 kilowatts) would cost about $2 million. [i] If that turbine achieved a capacity factor of 35%, it would produce 3,066,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in one year or 61,320,000 kWh over 20 years. [ii]
Second, calculate the electricity savings from energy efficient light bulbs. With energy efficient light bulbs now selling for about $2 each, $2 million would buy one million light bulbs. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 15-watt energy efficient bulb providing similar light would save 45 watt-hours in 1 hour. If used 4 hours per day year around for 5 years, savings from that one bulb would be 328.5 kWh. One million bulbs would save 328,500,000 kWh over 5 years. [iii]
Apart from the absolute savings shown, keep in mind that:
• Electricity that is saved doesn't require building expensive transmission lines.
• Not all the electricity from a wind turbine ever reaches electric customers because of line losses.
• The $2 million for a wind turbine doesn't include costs for 20 years of operations, maintenance, repair, and replacement.
Further, building “wind farms” creates very few jobs because an overwhelming share of the cost capital of a “wind farm” is for turbines, blades, and towers that are built elsewhere and imported. Construction lasts only a few months and is done by temporary workers from outside areas. Few permanent jobs are created. Electricity produced is high in cost and low in value because it is intermittent, volatile, unreliable, and unlikely to be available when electricity demand is highest. Wind turbines do not replace the need for reliable generating capacity. They provide few environmental benefits and cause significant environmental, scenic, and property value damage.
Glenn R. Schleede, 18220 Turnberry Drive, Round Hill, VA 20141-2574. 540-338-9958
This fact is clearly demonstrated with simple arithmetic!
First, calculate the potential output from a wind turbine. A wind turbine with capacity of 1 Megawatt (or 1,000 kilowatts) would cost about $2 million. [i] If that turbine achieved a capacity factor of 35%, it would produce 3,066,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in one year or 61,320,000 kWh over 20 years. [ii]
Second, calculate the electricity savings from energy efficient light bulbs. With energy efficient light bulbs now selling for about $2 each, $2 million would buy one million light bulbs. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 15-watt energy efficient bulb providing similar light would save 45 watt-hours in 1 hour. If used 4 hours per day year around for 5 years, savings from that one bulb would be 328.5 kWh. One million bulbs would save 328,500,000 kWh over 5 years. [iii]
Apart from the absolute savings shown, keep in mind that:
• Electricity that is saved doesn't require building expensive transmission lines.
• Not all the electricity from a wind turbine ever reaches electric customers because of line losses.
• The $2 million for a wind turbine doesn't include costs for 20 years of operations, maintenance, repair, and replacement.
Further, building “wind farms” creates very few jobs because an overwhelming share of the cost capital of a “wind farm” is for turbines, blades, and towers that are built elsewhere and imported. Construction lasts only a few months and is done by temporary workers from outside areas. Few permanent jobs are created. Electricity produced is high in cost and low in value because it is intermittent, volatile, unreliable, and unlikely to be available when electricity demand is highest. Wind turbines do not replace the need for reliable generating capacity. They provide few environmental benefits and cause significant environmental, scenic, and property value damage.
Glenn R. Schleede, 18220 Turnberry Drive, Round Hill, VA 20141-2574. 540-338-9958
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hold on wind project proposed
Hartsville, N.Y.
With little news from developers and fears of low returns on revenue, the Town of Hartsville might hold off on allowing anyone to build a wind farm until the details get ironed out.
The Hartsville town board voted 3-2 at Wednesday night’s meeting to consider a law placing a moratorium on wind turbine development.
Town Supervisor Steve Dombert proposed the idea following a discussion on revenue benefits for the town and how they would compare to other municipalities.
Under the current Payment in Lieu of Taxes formulas, the town would receive between $52,000 and $180,000, Dombert said.
“I’m really underwhelmed,” he said.
While the Town of Cohocton has received more than a million dollars in two years from a community host agreement, Dombert said recent court action by parties involved in the PILOT programs at other wind turbine locations may rule the community host agreement concept void.
He said he recently talked to representatives with E.ON, the company planning to build between 33 and 46 turbines in the town, “but I’m not feeling I’m getting a lot of encouragement on their end.”
The length of the moratorium would be between six months to a year, he said, adding it would give the town time to figure out its options and negotiate any necessary deals with the Canisteo-Greenwood Central School District.
Dombert added he feels the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, which has the task of negotiating PILOT agreements, is not looking out for the town’s best interest.
“They’re not negotiating anything at all,” he said.
In other business, the board:
l Agreed to terminate a contract to plow Steuben County roads in the town.
According to Dombert, the county Department of Public Works would have paid the town around $31,000 over the year for the contract. So far, he said, the town has received around $21,000 of the money and will need to return about $13,000.
While the town will lose the revenue, Dombert said, about $16,000 in costs for salt, sand and diesel fuel can come off the appropriations side of the budget, plus time spent plowing and repairs to the trucks.
l Approved the town to make paper complaint forms for residents to report code enforcement violations.
According to Dombert, Code Enforcement Officer Bill Ells asked him to implement the system to keep better track of complaints.
“That way, we’d have a sort of process,” Dombert said. “Bill would be on notice that a complaint has been filed.”
l Approved to set up for a rabies clinic Feb. 23 in the town highway shop. Further details on the time will be set at a later date.
With little news from developers and fears of low returns on revenue, the Town of Hartsville might hold off on allowing anyone to build a wind farm until the details get ironed out.
The Hartsville town board voted 3-2 at Wednesday night’s meeting to consider a law placing a moratorium on wind turbine development.
Town Supervisor Steve Dombert proposed the idea following a discussion on revenue benefits for the town and how they would compare to other municipalities.
Under the current Payment in Lieu of Taxes formulas, the town would receive between $52,000 and $180,000, Dombert said.
“I’m really underwhelmed,” he said.
While the Town of Cohocton has received more than a million dollars in two years from a community host agreement, Dombert said recent court action by parties involved in the PILOT programs at other wind turbine locations may rule the community host agreement concept void.
He said he recently talked to representatives with E.ON, the company planning to build between 33 and 46 turbines in the town, “but I’m not feeling I’m getting a lot of encouragement on their end.”
The length of the moratorium would be between six months to a year, he said, adding it would give the town time to figure out its options and negotiate any necessary deals with the Canisteo-Greenwood Central School District.
Dombert added he feels the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, which has the task of negotiating PILOT agreements, is not looking out for the town’s best interest.
“They’re not negotiating anything at all,” he said.
In other business, the board:
l Agreed to terminate a contract to plow Steuben County roads in the town.
According to Dombert, the county Department of Public Works would have paid the town around $31,000 over the year for the contract. So far, he said, the town has received around $21,000 of the money and will need to return about $13,000.
While the town will lose the revenue, Dombert said, about $16,000 in costs for salt, sand and diesel fuel can come off the appropriations side of the budget, plus time spent plowing and repairs to the trucks.
l Approved the town to make paper complaint forms for residents to report code enforcement violations.
According to Dombert, Code Enforcement Officer Bill Ells asked him to implement the system to keep better track of complaints.
“That way, we’d have a sort of process,” Dombert said. “Bill would be on notice that a complaint has been filed.”
l Approved to set up for a rabies clinic Feb. 23 in the town highway shop. Further details on the time will be set at a later date.
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