Pros and cons of wind power presented at forum

M. Dirk Langeveld, Staff Writer

Saturday, October 24, 2009

PARIS — Dozens of people listened to five speakers give their views on wind energy at a forum Friday.

M. Dirk Langeveld/Sun Journal

Dylan Voorhees, clean energy and global warming project director with the National Resources Council of Maine, speaks Friday during a forum on wind power in Paris.

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M. Dirk Langeveld/Sun Journal

Lawrence J. Dwight, president of Dwight Investment Counsel of Wilton, speaks Friday during a forum on wind power in Paris.

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M. Dirk Langeveld/Sun Journal

Andy Novey, president of Tech Environmental Inc., speaks Friday during a forum on wind power in Paris.

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M. Dirk Langeveld/Sun Journal

Kirk Nadeau, president of Kean Project Engineering, speaks Friday during a forum on wind power in Paris.

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M. Dirk Langeveld/Sun Journal

Andy Novey, project manager with Patriot Renewables, speaks Friday during a forum on wind power in Paris.

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Linda Walbridge, of the Western Maine Economic Development Council, said the goal of the forum was to help residents make informed decisions about wind power on a local level. The speakers included one proponent and one opponent of wind power, a sound permitting specialist and two people involved with proposed wind turbine projects in Oxford Hills.

Dylan Voorhees, clean energy and global warming project director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, said electricity in Maine comes from sources within the state as well as a regional New England grid.

"Altogether, there are a lot of dirty fuels in this mix, and a lot of expensive fuels," he said.

Voorhees said nonrenewable energy sources such as natural gas are vulnerable to sharp price increases and also contribute to pollution and health problems. Voorhees said wind power is competitive with other fuels in terms of cost per watt, and that wind power would displace natural gas or other more expensive fuels when it is fed into the grid.

Lawrence J. Dwight, president of Dwight Investment Counsel of Wilton, described himself as an economist and environmentalist who has done work with the Audubon Society. Dwight said that studies are available on the impact of wind turbines in Europe, and that there has been no increase in jobs or decrease in foreign oil imports or carbon dioxide emissions despite the construction of approximately 37,000 turbines.

Dwight said nine jobs were lost for every four green energy jobs created in Spain, and imports of foreign oil increased due to the need to have a backup system when wind turbines are not producing power. He also said turbines produce a danger to birds and bats, require the clear-cutting of forest, and have adverse effects on human and animal health due to sleep deprivation from turbine noise.

Dwight said almost 100 percent of Maine's energy is produced in the United States or Canada, and that 40 percent comes from renewable sources such as biomass or hydroelectric systems. He said construction of wind turbines in Maine would increase utility costs due to the need for added infrastructure and lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.

"This is a jobs export policy," Dwight said.

Peter Guldberg, president of Tech Environmental Inc. of Waltham, Mass., said sound waves produced by wind turbines dissipate or are absorbed with distance. He said that while a typical 1.5 megawatt turbine produces sound at 104 decibels, it is reduced to 45 decibels, the equivalent of a typical neighborhood, within 1,000 feet of the turbine.

Guldberg said sound studies look at maximum power levels, an uncertainty factor, and low-frequency tones. He said a study of the Cape Wind project, which proposes placing 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound, determined that it would be below the threshold for human hearing and background noise on the coast.

Kirk Nadeau, president of Kean Project Engineering of Turner, is proposing the construction of three 1.5 megawatt turbines on Streaked Mountain in Buckfield. He said the turbines would produce an average of one megawatt per hour and the energy savings would result in an effect similar to reforestation to offset the permanent change to three acres on the mountain.

On Tuesday, the Buckfield selectmen accepted a citizen petition seeking a 180-day moratorium on wind power development, and the matter will be scheduled for a vote at a special town meeting or referendum at the polls. Nadeau said the project is on hold and no impact studies will be done until the outcome of the vote.

"The first approach for us is community involvement," Nadeau said. "When we have public support, we'll move forward."

Andy Novey, project director with Patriot Renewables of Quincy, Mass., said nine to 11 turbines totaling 18 to 20 megawatts are proposed for the western ridgeline of Spruce Mountain in Woodstock. Novey said the company has done several studies to determine the impact on wildlife and consulted with state and federal agencies on noise, shadow flicker, runoff and other potential issues.

Novey said he is scheduled to go before the Woodstock Planning Board on Nov. 10 to seek a permit for the project.

The forum was sponsored by the Western Maine Economic Development Council, Central Maine Power Co., Healthy Oxford Hills, the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable Oxford Hills and the Western Maine Mountain Alliance.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

All I want to say is we want

By to be or not, unverified — Sun, 10/25/2009 - 06:26

All I want to say is we want wind power on Temple hill rd in Waterford,me.And one other thing I hope is out of all this wind the people get to have lower bills in the future.....

D Wilson, Can you please

By grampiescott, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 17:12

D Wilson,

Can you please explain to me the cost per mega watt of the different sources of power? I have been told and have seen cost of electricity going to the grid and wind seems to be the most expensive. Without government subsidies (my grand kids money) it wouldn't be viable. If you go to http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/09/21/fpl-americas-no-1-wind-power You will see Florida Power and Light, they are America's #1 wind power company. Read the article and look at this quote "Wind is a good business because of federal and state subsidies, O’Sullivan says. About half of the cash flow during the 20 to 25 years life of a wind farm comes from the subsidies and tax breaks, with the other half coming from electricity sales. The business is “driven by public policy,” he says" maybe I took it out of text like you say I did with Wind is a good business because of federal and state subsidies, O’Sullivan says. About half of the cash flow during the 20 to 25 years life of a wind farm comes from the subsidies and tax breaks, with the other half coming from electricity sales. The business is “driven by public policy,” he says" Maybe I took it out of text like you said I did with Voorhees quote. Just read the article and you decide

D Wilson. Talk aboiut being

By davesbaby2009, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 16:47

D Wilson. Talk aboiut being obtuse! While it may be emotionally satisfying to disregard contrary viewpoints by making things up, I fail to see how it serves informed debate. For example, no, I did not write that I wanted fossil fuel use instead of wind turbines, especially at night. I didn't even argue against wind turbines. In fact I have been a vocal suppoprter of a project near me. I simply wrote that wind projects should be subject to siting standards that are reasonable and somewhat science-based. Why is that so hard to understand? Because I think that the people in a town contemplating a wind project deserve to have credible information giving them a realistic understanding of the likely localized impact, this means that I'm a fossil fuel supporter? Please. Although I will tell you, that I think putting too much focus on wind power at the expense of nuclear power paradoxically could lead to greater emissions with less coal plants shutting down. Using your logic, should I accuse you of supporting kids getting asthma from coal plants because you support wind power? No, because I am reasonable person. Once again, let's get it straight: arguing for clear siting standards that are based on the best available science, and not what a wind developer tells you he/she wants, is a better way for a town to make an informed decision on a wind project, and it doesn't mean one is against wind power. Perhaps you should do a little more research on wind before you accuse anyone disagreeing with your anything goes approach of being an evil polluter.

verified

Gee Windtruth, do you really

By Ray Frechette, verified user — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 13:35

Gee Windtruth, do you really mean the expert may be slanting his report? Let us all remember that for every action there is a reaction and no one can foresee what the reaction here will be. Also, we should ask these developers if they plan to do this development with their own money or are they parasites asking us to fund it (taxpayer dollars from government) so they can sell it to us at a profit? If they do not intend to fully fund it on their own, they in fact are saying it is not viable. If they do build this, will we still need to build standby gas or diesel powered generators for when there is insufficient wind? What will their power cost the electric delivering utilities? Will there really be a saving to offset the visual impact of these units? Conventional, gas and/or diesel plants can be built anywhere they are needed, and are a proven reliable source of power. Also, with new technology they are not as polluting as they used to be. We must also realize that our local pollution comes from mid-western coal burning plants. We have plenty of oil and natural gas in this country especially with the latest discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Dakotas plus the oil bearing rocks in the Wyoming area that we have sufficient amounts of crude available. Also, ethanol distillation is forever making strides and this holds promise. We do not need to desecrate our scenic gifts to make a few developers richer.

I just read it again and I

By cderaps, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 13:59

I just read it again and I have to bite this time. The anti wind power "environmentalists" promoting continued and expanded use of polluting nonrenewable fuel powered generating plants. You all, the same people who fought how many years to force the closure of Maine Yankee and fought every possible job producing project from Plumb Creek to Ant farming because of possible pollution and are promoting the proliferation of fossil fuel plants in an arguement against clean wind power. That beats all. You want to dump more greenhouse gases and toxins into the atmosphere because you think that is preferable to cutting a few trees to put in a few wind mills so the pollutants aren't produced that will kill more trees, more wildlife, cause more disease, contribute to climate change and all the other ills of the world. On one hand you say we will still need fossil fuel plants especially at night when there is less wind and there for less power production and less noise from the windmills and on the other you scream that the windmill noise at night is going to make us all crazy. Do you people hear yourselves? The truth is you all have talked me into supporting the wind power, keep taling you will have everyone taking up collections to invest in more windmills.

D Wilson might want to think

By davesbaby2009, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 12:13

D Wilson might want to think twice about being swayed by the so-called acoustic expert from Tech Environmental. This company has performed several sound studies in MA for wind projects and in my opinion has committed major measurement errors biased toward the developer and prejudiced against project abutters. In my experience with this company, and it is considerable, their comments on the localized sound impact to neighbors should be treated with the necessary skepticism that should attend anyone's words who would financially benefit from as many poorly sited projects as possible going forward so they can get the business. Did the speaker tell the public that peer reviewed studies confirm that for a given level of percent highly annoyed, wind turbine sounds are 20 decibels or more lower than sound produced by other types of industrial noise. Did the speaker show you the graph commonplace in the world of acoustics showing that at 60 decibels, barely anyone exposed to air, train, and car noise is annoyed, but at 40 decibels, wind turbine sound annoys upwards of 35 percent or more to the exposed population. Did the speaker reveal the recently released night noise levels recommended by the WHO that suggests a limit of 40 decibels outside at night to prevent sleep disturbance. Did the speaker tell you that, in the words of the Nova Scotia Final Report on Model Wind Turbine Bylaws and Best Practices that "while there are no universally accepted dBA standards, the range proposed most often by other municipalitiesin recent standards, or by credible researchers, is 35 dBA (more conservative) oe 40 dBA (less conservative but more common) or 5 dBA above background noise levels at the exterior of the nearest habitable dwelling."? Did Mr. Guldberg reveal that his company has taken the money of MA ratepayers to do sound studies commending wind projects go forward in which noise would be greater than 50 dBA at the nearest homes? He probably also didn't tell you that in acoustics terms an increase in one's background sound of 10 decibels (in the word of UMAss Wind Energy Center white paper on noise 2004) "is subjectively heard as an approximate doubling of the sopund and almost always causes an adverse community response." Did he inform you that rural Maine background sound decibel levels probably dips into the low 20s at night? It was profoundly disingenuous for the speaker to cite 45 DBA as a typical background level. He knows full well that that is an overstatement of the nighttime noise environment of the crowd to whom he is speaking. Beware Mainers, as well, that this company, along with others employed by the wind industry, performs a magical sleight of hand when performing noise studies that results in overestimating background sound and underestimating turbine noise. By attempting to measure noise as a function of wind speed, but not actually measuring the wind at hub height synchronously or in the same place, typically the company will not adequately factor in wind shear, throw out low background sound readings on the spurious basis that turbines would not be in operation at low times. By not factoring in the role of atmospheric stability also, which causes low wind,quiet sound at ground level but steady winds aloft the sound studies are not a realistic analysis of the acoustic environment. Also beware microphone measurement errors. In one case Tech Environmental left measuring devices unattended, a drenching rain storm hit the area, and while in normal cases, data sets influenced by pounding rain are to be thrown out since they bias the noise upwards, this company not only kept the data, they also never acknowledged that such a weather event had occurred. Dishonest or sloppy; you decide. It's a complicated subject and the wind developers and acoustic companies doing their bidding knbow this and try to use it to their advantage. For proper acoustic advice on wind turbine noise and siting advice, please google Rick James of e-Coustic solutions. More knowledgeable, less biased advice on noise.

I am afraid you have me at a

By cderaps, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 13:29

I am afraid you have me at a bit of a disadvantage as I provide my true name on all my postings and you have not done the same, therefore I must refer to you as Windy. Your noise soliloque is quite lengthy and certainly filled with lots of numbers but I can find nothing to support any contention. On the one hand the speaker at the meating has an extensive verifiable resume relevabt to the issue at hand. On the other hand, I have no idea who you are, what your credentials are, your resume, your ability to relevantly apply informatipn from any source or study to this or any other matter. While you have certainly slung a great deal of something it has no cohesiveness to cause it to stick. I am open to clear concise information from appropriate sources that is relevant if you would like to identify yourself and submit relevent testimony.

Whether it be turbines or

By Melissa Dunn, verified user — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 11:53

Whether it be turbines or other resources for renewable energy, I would rather pay out now than having to put the burden on children and our children's children to pick up the pieces and deal with our/forefather's mistakes. Overtime, it pays off for itself and any kind of renewable resource that is being fed into the Grid is better than none. I think this can be just a small step... however, a positive step towards doing the right thing for our environment. I know that continuing to use fossil fuels for energy-far outweighs any concern compared to turbines. I think people tend to forget that this, our earth-is like a green house. Every single, little thing we do builds and builds and builds... As I commented before, we are the parasites on this earth. We are abusing our privileges and greedy, 'me, me, me'... always taking and NEVER giving back. Its time to make a change, although-I'm afraid its a little late.

I hope Rumford readers

By grampiescott, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 08:47

I hope Rumford readers really read this article well. Dylan Voorhees who is Pro Wind for the NRCM is saying that wind power will displace Natural Gas...... Rumford has a Natural Gas plant that employees people and pays taxes, why do we want to hurt them? So we can bring in wind power with less jobs and less taxes so next year our taxes can go up again?

Knowthefacts, I think you

By cderaps, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 10:43

Knowthefacts, I think you better go back and read the quote from Voorhees again and not just take out a little of what you think it said. "Vorhees said Nonrenewable energy sources such as natural gas are vulnerable to sharp price increases and also contribute to pollution and health problems. Voorhees said wind power is competitive with other fuels in terms of costs per watt, and that wind power would displace natural gas or other more expensive fuel when it is fed into the grid." First the gentlman points out how natural gas is vulnerable to sharp price increases which translates into sharp electricity rare increases for our homes and the few remaining businesses, schools and government offices. Then he points out that natuaral gas birning pwer producing plants contribute to pollution and health problems, two more reasons to reduce the need for operating these plants as much as possible. The less they run, the less they pollute, the less adverse health impact they will have on we in Rumford, our tourists and the rest of Maine. After all, aren't we here for the clean air? Natural gas power plant emmissions are not what I want to be breathing in. The final portion of his quote was "that wind power would displace natural gas or other more expensive fuel," note he is talking about how wind power will replace our expensive fuel as it is competitive in terms of cost per watt. That is not what the anti wind power pwople have been saying up until now either. Mr. Voorhees in this one quote makes a great arguement for wind power as meeting all our needs and ridding us of some existing pollution and adverse health contribuitors . He describes exactly what we need, a clean and less expensive energy source that is not subject to price increases. Add to that the report from the accostics expert, the first such we have had and I am sold unless someone can produce a creible expert with some new information. I thank the Journal and the Chamber for finally providing the area with some real fact based information.

By grampiescott, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 16:38

I have a serious question.

By T, unverified — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 11:08

I have a serious question. Would wind power be competitive without government subsidies?

J. Dwight was the only

By Paul Mattson, verified user — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 05:45

J. Dwight was the only speaker at the event that garnered applause after pointing out green subsidies are paid by adding to our state and national debt.

He also noted out national debt is currently $13 TRILLION. Wake up AmeriKa!

You may want to rephrase

By Ray St. Onge, verified user — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 09:56

You may want to rephrase that. Google, mars hills wind power law suit, freedom wind power law suit. You might be surprised at what you find. These are large projects that don't belong near people's homes.

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Pros and cons of wind power presented at forum

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