S.T.A.R.T.

ANYBODY READ THE NEWS EVERYBODY’S COLUMN RECENTLY REGARDING THE WIND TURBINE INDUSTRY? IT SEEMS THAT THE WRITER WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE THE DR. NINA PIERPONT STUDY BUT, I BELIEVE THAT IT ONLY INCLUDED 10 FAMILIES. THAT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE MUCH OF A STUDY. ALSO, I BELIEVE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES IS TO SHOW THAT IF THE 6000 TURBINES THAT WERE BUILT IN DENMARK WEREN’T THERE THAT THEY WOULD BE BURNING MUCH MORE COAL THAN THE SAME AMOUNT AS IN 1999. ANOTHER REASON FOR AN INFORMED PERSON. NUMBERS CAN INDEED BE USED TO REPRESENT MOST ANY THING.

Typical baseline noise levels under moderately windy conditions (6 to 10 meters/second) are in the range of 32 and 38 dBA – that’s the typical background noise without any turbines present.  So if you go out and stand in a field on an average day in Machias or Yorkshire, that’s about what you’re hearing.  Anything below 35 dBA would be considered “silence” by most people.

 During very calm and still times, the baseline noise levels may get into the 20s (dBA).  These levels are occasionally recorded during studies to establish baseline noise levels in an area, and typically occur at night when things are completely calm.  During these periods, there will be very little, if any wind blowing and therefore turbines would either be idle or spinning slowly enough that they would not contribute much in the way of added noise. 

Noise is really a subjective matter.  Those inclined to be unsupportive of a project will hear noise differently than those supporting it.  There is certainly anecdotal evidence of people being bothered by the noise from wind farms but those complaints are usually noteworthy because they’re the exception, and not the general rule in projects.

I recently came across a blog regarding opposition to the wind project in Machias.  It is interesting to see what the opposition thinks and how they portray their thoughts and concerns.  To read these messages click on the link below.

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/yorkshire-ny/TVNM4KQU44G071UR4

General Discussion regarding Machias Wind Farm.  Click below on “comments” to add your message.