The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is 1.2 miles from my home. It wasn't even in the sound map for receiving sound from the project. Now I am making sound readings at night from 48-53 dB(a). The wind industry puts out flawed sound maps before the project is built. It is after the wind company gets it's project up that the people realize the devastation from sound. I live were I live for the peace and quiet. It now has been destroyed by a flawed sound map and a company that greeds for the the federal subsidies.
Please go and see the award winning presentation of Windfall in your neighborhood. It is an open view of how the wind industry moves into small towns. It is an honest view.
Woodstock Site Plan Review
Page 15 , Number 18
Noise: the proposed development shall not raise noise levels to the extent that abutting and/or nearby residents are adversely affect.
A) The maximum permissible sound pressure level of any continuous, regular or frequent or an intermittent source of sound produced by any activity shall be limited by the time period and land use which it abuts listed below. Sound levels shall be measured at 4 feet above the ground at the property boundary of the source.
Sound pressure level limits using the sound equivalent level of one hour (leq 60 measured in dB(a) scale)
7:00 am to 10:00pm, residential 55 dB(a)
10:00pm to 7:00am residential 45 dB(a)
B) Noise shall be measured by a meter set on the A-weight response scale, fast response. The meter shall meet the American National Standards (ANSA SI-4-1961) American standard specification for general purpose sound meters.
My name is Leola Ballweber, I live in Woodstock, Maine. The town of Woodstock Planning board used the DEP guide lines for sound, yet, approved a waiver to raise the sound levels.
The wind project was appealed at the town level, DEP level, which Warren Brown suggested a NRO for 3 turbines starting at 7pm and adding 3 more from 10pm till 7am, 6 of 10 turbines would be restricted during this time and then it was off to the BEP. After the Supreme Court case was dropped, only 20% chance in the citizen’s favor. Patriot Renewable petitioned for the NRO to be removed. My understanding is that it was granted and the NRO was removed.
What was learned was that the state does not have regulations in place to protect the citizens from the unique infra-sound projected by industrial wind turbines.
The science is there to prove it exists, yet it is the citizens who are left to protect themselves.
The wind industry does and will not admit that these machines on top of Maine’s mountains make noise.
The sound maps that are computer generated are flawed and incorrect in these projects.
Bayroot, LLC owns land that is part of the Spruce Mount Wind Project, leases were giving. As soon as the Spruce mountain wind project began construction, Bayroot, LLC began removing timber between abutting properties and the wind project. If, the abutters had taken some consolation in the filtering of sound through the trees, it was made clear, it was not to be. The Logging Company came in and literally stripped the land. They paid the fines for their actions and continued to strip the 1000’s of acres around the Spruce Mountain Wind Project.
It is clear that the wind company, land owners of the logging properties, walk hand in hand on these wind projects.
There is no consideration for the ECHO Effect from the surrounding ridges and sound traveling down into the valleys.
It has been made clear that this is not a time for emotions. It is clear that the distress felt by the victims of these projects will not be considered.
I present to you some facts from Woodstock:
There are over 90 abutting properties to the Spruce Mountain wind project. Most of those are seasonal residents. The figures that I am submitting to you are taken from the Woodstock Map/Lot Index dated Tuesday, January 2008. I checked with the town manager and he assured me that this was the latest, up to date version.
Concord Pond Area-
• 75 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land, $4,316,090.
• 1 local household considered year round resident of Woodstock
Shagg Pond Area-
• 67 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land $4,507,390.
• 3 local households considered year round residents of Woodstock
Cushman and Perkins Valley Road-
• 54 properties,
Town’s value for buildings and land, $$3,241,030.
• 29 residents considered year round residents of Woodstock.
The Combined total,
• properties within 1.5 miles, 196
• property values to the town- $12,064,510.00
• The number of residential property owners considered year round residents- 33
It is clear that the properties involved are mostly seasonal owners who pay taxes and buy groceries when they come to Woodstock. They may be considered seasonal citizens, yet, spend summers, go skiing, snowmobiling or just get away from their busy lives on weekends, year round. They have no vote at town meetings and could not participate in the decision of this wind project coming to their neighbor. Now they live with the blade flicker and the Whooosh Whooosh of industrial wind turbines. The wind turbines came to them and they are given a short list of alternatives in dealing with the noise. Please consider the impact this will have on the other small towns, who have or will have wind projects come to their town. Our small townships are now being put in the position no matter what they decide, for or against a wind ordinance; they can expect challenges from both sides of the issue. Law suits are costly, timely and can at times be indecisive in the outcome. (Moot) When the industrial wind projects are built in Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Sumner and phase two of The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is put into motion, these figures, one town at a time, will add up.
I believe that the Maine Legislature put us in this position of Fight or Flee and I believe the legislation should send a strong message to the wind industry. It is time for educating yourselves on the dangers of infra sound and making regulations that protect the citizens of Maine. Distance is the only control factor when dealing with this industry. I believe that the BEP’s intents are good, but feel that the 42 dB(a) is still too high, yet, it is a beginning.
Industrial wind turbines have a unique sound, they are a unique industry and the citizens of Maine deserve to be protected to the fullest from industrial wind’s noise pollution. I have been following the PUC with First Wind and see a pattern with the challenge to ethics, along with morals. Business is business and we should all go by the same rules, with the same penalties. They say that Enron is dead, yet, we are still dealing with the ghost of Enron,
There are other alternatives to choose from and Maine is already 30% renewable energy. Remove the cap on hydro and let the waters run. In these economic times, we should be consolidating, rather than wasting federal dollars on rich man’s projects. The down fall is that until someone tells the rich guy, he can’t walk all over the little guy, there will be casualties. The seasonal residents, tax payers and abutters to the Spruce Mountain Wind project are caught in the cross fire of this warring power for dominance on Maine’s mountains.
Woodstock Site Plan Review
Page 15 , Number 18
Noise: the proposed development shall not raise noise levels to the extent that abutting and/or nearby residents are adversely affect.
A) The maximum permissible sound pressure level of any continuous, regular or frequent or an intermittent source of sound produced by any activity shall be limited by the time period and land use which it abuts listed below. Sound levels shall be measured at 4 feet above the ground at the property boundary of the source.
Sound pressure level limits using the sound equivalent level of one hour (leq 60 measured in dB(a) scale)
7:00 am to 10:00pm, residential 55 dB(a)
10:00pm to 7:00am residential 45 dB(a)
B) Noise shall be measured by a meter set on the A-weight response scale, fast response. The meter shall meet the American National Standards (ANSA SI-4-1961) American standard specification for general purpose sound meters.
My name is Leola Ballweber, I live in Woodstock, Maine. The town of Woodstock Planning board used the DEP guide lines for sound, yet, approved a waiver to raise the sound levels.
The wind project was appealed at the town level, DEP level, which Warren Brown suggested a NRO for 3 turbines starting at 7pm and adding 3 more from 10pm till 7am, 6 of 10 turbines would be restricted during this time and then it was off to the BEP. After the Supreme Court case was dropped, only 20% chance in the citizen’s favor. Patriot Renewable petitioned for the NRO to be removed. My understanding is that it was granted and the NRO was removed.
What was learned was that the state does not have regulations in place to protect the citizens from the unique infra-sound projected by industrial wind turbines.
The science is there to prove it exists, yet it is the citizens who are left to protect themselves.
The wind industry does and will not admit that these machines on top of Maine’s mountains make noise.
The sound maps that are computer generated are flawed and incorrect in these projects.
Bayroot, LLC owns land that is part of the Spruce Mount Wind Project, leases were giving. As soon as the Spruce mountain wind project began construction, Bayroot, LLC began removing timber between abutting properties and the wind project. If, the abutters had taken some consolation in the filtering of sound through the trees, it was made clear, it was not to be. The Logging Company came in and literally stripped the land. They paid the fines for their actions and continued to strip the 1000’s of acres around the Spruce Mountain Wind Project.
It is clear that the wind company, land owners of the logging properties, walk hand in hand on these wind projects.
There is no consideration for the ECHO Effect from the surrounding ridges and sound traveling down into the valleys.
It has been made clear that this is not a time for emotions. It is clear that the distress felt by the victims of these projects will not be considered.
I present to you some facts from Woodstock:
There are over 90 abutting properties to the Spruce Mountain wind project. Most of those are seasonal residents. The figures that I am submitting to you are taken from the Woodstock Map/Lot Index dated Tuesday, January 2008. I checked with the town manager and he assured me that this was the latest, up to date version.
Concord Pond Area-
• 75 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land, $4,316,090.
• 1 local household considered year round resident of Woodstock
Shagg Pond Area-
• 67 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land $4,507,390.
• 3 local households considered year round residents of Woodstock
Cushman and Perkins Valley Road-
• 54 properties,
Town’s value for buildings and land, $$3,241,030.
• 29 residents considered year round residents of Woodstock.
The Combined total,
• properties within 1.5 miles, 196
• property values to the town- $12,064,510.00
• The number of residential property owners considered year round residents- 33
It is clear that the properties involved are mostly seasonal owners who pay taxes and buy groceries when they come to Woodstock. They may be considered seasonal citizens, yet, spend summers, go skiing, snowmobiling or just get away from their busy lives on weekends, year round. They have no vote at town meetings and could not participate in the decision of this wind project coming to their neighborhood. Now they live with the blade flicker and the Whooosh Whooosh of industrial wind turbines. The wind turbines came to them and they are given a short list of alternatives in dealing with the noise. Please consider the impact this will have on the other small towns, who have or will have wind projects come to their town. Our small townships are now being put in the position no matter what they decide, for or against a wind ordinance; they can expect challenges from both sides of the issue. Law suits are costly, timely and can at times be indecisive in the outcome. (Moot) When the industrial wind projects are built in Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Sumner and phase two of The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is put into motion, these figures, one town at a time, will add up.
I believe that the Maine Legislature put us in this position of Fight or Flee and I believe the legislation should send a strong message to the wind industry. It is time for educating yourselves on the dangers of infra sound and making regulations that protect the citizens of Maine. Distance is the only control factor when dealing with this industry. I believe that the BEP’s intents are good, but feel that the 42 dB(a) is still too high, yet, it is a beginning.
Industrial wind turbines have a unique sound, they are a unique industry and the citizens of Maine deserve to be protected to the fullest from industrial wind’s noise pollution. I have been following the PUC with First Wind and see a pattern with the challenge to ethics, along with morals. Business is business and we should all go by the same rules, with the same penalties. They say that Enron is dead, yet, we are still dealing with the ghost of Enron,
There are other alternatives to choose from and Maine is already 30% renewable energy. Remove the cap on hydro and let the waters run. In these economic times, we should be consolidating, rather than wasting federal dollars on rich man’s projects. The down fall is that until someone tells the rich guy, he can’t walk all over the little guy, there will be casualties. The seasonal residents, tax payers and abutters to the Spruce Mountain Wind project are caught in the cross fire of this warring power for dominance on Maine’s mountains.
Thank-you, for the time. and the opportunity to speak today.
Wind power is costly and depends on the wind blowing to make power. Take the limit off of hydro and let us use our natural gas for electricity production. Maine has been duped into thinking that we need more renewable energy and if people would do the home work, they would see that we are the greenest state in New England. We are shipping electricity out of the state and yet residents can't get a reduction. Change the policies and allow hydro power do its thing. The wind industry is loosing ground and Maine tax payers have had enough of the broken promises and the invasion of Maine. why does this group support the changes and mandates, because the people are fighting back from loosing their property value, the destruction of eco systems and the invasion of light flicker from 125 blades, not to mention the sound of wind turbines. Oh, they don't make noise!!!! Liars Liars pants on fire.... Wait until the public is really exposed to the truth about the wind industry scams.. Won't you feel small. Stop shooting yourself in the foot, SHOOTING YOUR MOUTHS OFF ABOUT MANDATES, WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE THE FACTS. Get the real facts on wind power. Maybe, just maybe we NIMBYS REALIZE THE LIES THAT ARE BEING TOLD.
THANK THE GOOD LORD ABOVE THAT OUR GOVERNOR HAS SEEN THE LIGHT AND IS TAKING ACTION.
NO MANDATES, NO OPEN SPACE TAX REDUCTION AND TELL THE PEOPLE FROM THE NRCM THAT THEIR MONEY BANK IS CLOSED. I NEVER DID LIKE THE WAY THAT MONEY WENT TO A CONSERVATION GROUP JUST TO ALLOW HERBICIDES TO BE PUT IN MAINE WATERS. TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT.
If First Wind does not have money to invest in development in Maine, then why are they still building projects that are costing tax payers and electric costs to go up in Maine? Why isn't telling this business that they should stop doing business in Maine, so non-negotiable? First Wind was investigated in New York State by the Attorney General and would suggest that it is time for our Attorney General to check out the wind industries moving into Maine.I was raised to have ethics, morals and to follow the rules. Who in Maine is enforcing and following the business practices of these large companies? Why is there so much difference in enforcing the rules between the citizens and large companies?
Wind power at 25% capacity is only destroying Maine's tourism,multiple cottage hideaways and our wilderness.It's time to tell the companies from outside of Maine to get out and stop carpetbagging in Maine. Maine needs to concentrate on what will best benefit the residents of Maine. Higher electric drives industries away, our hydro is not considered renewable energy and it would make more sense to add hydro to our renewable and to save our mountains for recreation and to have the Ahhh of seeing the world without the inefficient industrial wind turbines across 300 miles of our mountains.
Thank you for telling the truth on this issue and making the industry and politics responsible for creating the rules. Rules are in place to follow, not ask to be overlooked for "special cases". Where is the justice?
What we couldn't see coming was that the logging industry and the industrial wind turbine industry would decide to walk hand in hand across the mountain tops of Maine. It is time that people understand that they are doing major ecological damage to the land by literally stripping the trees, blasting the mountain tops and who cares about the herbicides being used or how it affects the spring waters that flow from these mountains. Maine has worked hard to clean up its water and now we are asked to just accept the new damages for Progress? I don't think so. You may think by ignoring us we will go away, but at the same time we are praying that your scam will be found out before anymore damage can be done. Just admit it, this wind turbine electricity is not to benefit Maine, it is to benefit Massachusetts. I don't like the idea of you saying it is "good for Mainers", when the the reason the turbines are going up in Maine is because the people of Massachusetts won't put them in their backyard.
Woodstock has followed the same path as Mars Hill. No public vote, no ordinance for wind turbines, and no DEP rules to control the developments. Will it also follow Mars Hill in the civil suit over the family's that were pushed into a corner with no other way to retrieve the quality of life that was destroyed by the Mars Hill wind project? If, the towns do not have an ordinance in place, then the industry, who has connections to the wood lots on these mountains, will buy their way into towns all across Maine. I would suggest that you contact Robert Rand and read his latest study on the unheard sound, vibrations, these monster machines on pedestals emit. No one seems concerned about the people who are and will be affected in the future from these projects. I have seen the towns people divided in Woodstock and the additude, "if it's not in my back yard I don't care" or " accept it for the betterment of the town". Very sad when world wide, people who have been subjected to the closeness of these projects and the sound are being affected. the wind industry has no scientific proof that the sound doesn't hurt or cause medical conditions that cause afflictions on the people exposed, yet, the there is scientific proof that industrial wind turbines cause medical conditions that can lead to serious health problems. Just Remember, wind may be free, but not the projects and like other federally funded programs, the money will end. No money, no more wind projects.
I challenge Erin Cox to call me and get my side of the story. If, she is an impartial reporter, than I would be glad to have her here the "OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY".
Just to remind the public, Woodstock's actions have shown the people of Maine, the importance of having a moratorium, creating a wind turbine ordinance, full study of the industry, and letting the people of the town vote, yea or nay. The leaders of Woodstock never gave a vote to the people and did not educate themselves on the industry. Thank-you to the other towns who are being responsible and following the American Way rather then the "Power's to Be in control" deciding for the people. Don't stay ignorant to the dangers of this industry and when the industry comes knocking on your door, make them prove their words and document the process. I do not see the little money that has been spread in Woodstock paying for the loss of the quality of life from this wind project. Think long and hard about industrial wind power, and if personal models of wind turbines can't sustain one house with electric, then how can industrial wind projects sustain the whole United States? Erin I would love to have a one on one. You really should inform yourself on the Rest of the story. Please, call me.
At least the people of Rumford got to vote three times. The people of Woodstock got no vote. The wind supporters slid in a change in the building permit and site plan ordinance and voted it in while everyone else was out making a living working. The trust of the citizens of Woodstock has been broken. Woodstock now has a 10 turbine wind project on Spruce Mountain and can be seen for 50 miles. Did anyone consider the health affects of these machines on pedestals and the affect they have on the townships who charge a "View Tax"? What will be said when the people who have ended up with just wind turbines in their view? What if, they decide that the tax is not worth the view? Did anyone other than the land owners, lessee and leasers really think the others affected would get any money? This is private business and Business is Business. Rumford needed to make the wind industry responsible in protecting the people before industry. The health affects out weigh the private money being thinly spread over Rumford.It should also be said that First Wind was forced by the State of New York, to sign an ethics contract because First Wind wasn't doing business in a fair and ethical way.This lead to First Wind moving to Maine instead of continuing their projects in New York State. They would like us to think it was industrial expansion, only I fear that they, First Wind, might have been run out of New York.
There have been a lot of things said By Patriot Renewables in Woodstock that seem to be changing as the project is built. the latest rumor is that the 20 year project will be ended in 10 years. That would mean that the town of Woodstock will miss out on 10 years of tax money and Patriot Renewables will never have to pay a dime of decommissioning costs. De-commissioning cost begins at year 12.If this is true, please tell me who isn't keeping their end of the insinuations made about building the Woodstock Spruce Mountain Wind Project? I applaud the citizens of Rumford in creating safe guidelines for an industry who is more concerned with federal dollars, than the safety of the citizens. I would remind the people of Rumford that it is the backers of the wind industry that has cut off the wood for the mill and broken their contract. It is a manipulation tactic being used to doubt your decision of the wind ordinance in your town. It is one of the oldest tricks in the book.
Rumford citizens walk proud and realize that it is not about for wind or against wind,IT IS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
Another commercial for turbines and how green they are to the people of Maine. That mountain top cost the people of Woodstock a high price. When you consider that the town will take in $440,000 in taxes, have to deal with the possible loss of 75% if Patriot files for Open Space Taxation and decommissioning doesn't begin until year 15 of a 20 year life span project, it would seem that the deal has gone SOUR. As I have said before it is a MATTER of TIME and the charade will play out. The representativeS of the town have not taken the safe steps needed to protect the people that will be affected by this project. Depreciation of camps on Shagg Pond, Concord Pond, Eagles Net, which sits just below this project,along with the view tax received to nearby towns, possibly being lost, there are a lot of things that have been overlooked.
People need to know that the electricity made by this facility is not for the people of Maine. Just because it is built on Maine soil doesn't equal a gain for Maine. This is a Massachusetts company, owned by an international company, who will sell the electricity to out of state customers, the green credits to polluting companies, so thaT they can put out more pollution and still be legal, and the jobs created are not a spit in the bucket compared to what our federal dollars could have been used for insulation and better heating of homes. We have a long road ahead of us and with this project built based on how Mars Hill was done, we may have ourselves a HUGE lawsuit in the future. I pray every day that the wind turbines will not affect my neighbors in the ways that I have researched.Wind Turbine Syndrome Does exist. This is a great learning tool for the town of Woodstock, but I pray it will not be the downfall of the people.
Rumford has had two votes on wind power in their town. The third one is coming up and what happens in such a timely fashion? It seems the paper mill is in the process of chpter 11 due to finances. What people don't understand is that it is the companies that control the harvested wood that has cut off the supply of wood to the mill. These same logging companies are connected to the financial backing of the wind turbine projects. By cutting lumber, selling lumber, owning the property that the wind turbines are being placed and leasing the logging land around the turbine projects, there is a lot of money to be made. Sorry folks, but the people that you thought would protect the forests are the ones investing in wind turbines and sucking the tax payer of money that the government doesn't have... When is some one going to say NO to the fleecing of the government and the unstablization of the economic system of Maine????
I sat in on one of the selectman meetings and could not believe the waste of time that was spent on delaying an ordinance. When the selectman decide to use the Spruce mountain wind projects spec.s to create their ordinance, it is a clear sign that they are wasting time. If they had done their home work, they would find that the Town of Woodstock did not make adequate provisions in their Site Plan ordinance and the Building Permit ordinance to deal with the safety of the residents. The DEP stepped in and put a sound limit on 6 of the ten turbines at night. This reduces their ability to produce electricity at their ultimate capacity. Night time is the most productive time for wind and for some reason, maybe our tax dollars, PR thinks they can still make money.That's right..... The Town of Woodstock doesn't have a wind turbine ordinance, so if anyone says they do, they are misleading the truth. We are just now addressing the creation of that type of ordinance, but it won't affect the Spruce Mountain Wind Project. That issue will be decided in Supreme court.
It is clear that most folks don't realize the magnitude of this project. Here are some facts;
There are 26 properties ranging from 2200 ft. to 3500 ft in the Eagles Nest Housing Project.
Just below that is Shagg Pond, which has 36 properties with in 3500 ft. to 4500 ft. Then add the 67 properties of Concord pond that are within 1 to 1 1/2 miles from the turbines and the 90 abutting properties in the Patriot Renewables Abutting Property List and you come up with 219 properties that are directly affected by this wind project. That doesn't include the aprx. of another 100 or more that are found within the 2 mile safety zone for mountainous projects like this one. That does not mean 219 people, that is only properties that are involved. If the standard family size is 3 or 4, then multiply by that number. Just for kicks and Giggles let us the number 3. that adds up to 657 people that Patriot Renewables says it WON"T AFFECT. Maine doesn't need to destroy our mountains for expensive wind turbines that our tax dollar is paying for..... And if they are using our tax money, why do they tell us that they can't disclose how the financial status is going because of TRADE SECRETS?
I say that if they are using our tax dollars, they should be allowing disclosure of how those tax dollars are being used. Oh, I also find it interesting that the man who owns the tower company has the same last name as Jay Cashman that is Patriot Renewables. Maybe these little towns who have cell towers coming in should say no and then the wind companies can't get there foot in the door of their town. It seems that cell towers and wind turbines are in the same category, even though the wind turbines have a machine on them that sounds like a jet engine and a height of 400 ft. Let's not forget the 250 foot blade swing. Maybe when we get done with wind turbines we will out law cell towers and we can go back to smoke signals. To much technology to fast and un-needed. If Massachusetts needs electricity then put it in their state not ours. We don't need the unsightly clutter on our mountains and we don't need the electricity, because we have enough of our own green electricity now.
Recent Comments
Who is fudging numbers?
The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is 1.2 miles from my home. It wasn't even in the sound map for receiving sound from the project. Now I am making sound readings at night from 48-53 dB(a). The wind industry puts out flawed sound maps before the project is built. It is after the wind company gets it's project up that the people realize the devastation from sound. I live were I live for the peace and quiet. It now has been destroyed by a flawed sound map and a company that greeds for the the federal subsidies.
Please go and see the award winning presentation of Windfall in your neighborhood. It is an open view of how the wind industry moves into small towns. It is an honest view.
Food for thought
[This comment has been removed pending administrative review]
The Hidden Factors
Woodstock Site Plan Review
Page 15 , Number 18
Noise: the proposed development shall not raise noise levels to the extent that abutting and/or nearby residents are adversely affect.
A) The maximum permissible sound pressure level of any continuous, regular or frequent or an intermittent source of sound produced by any activity shall be limited by the time period and land use which it abuts listed below. Sound levels shall be measured at 4 feet above the ground at the property boundary of the source.
Sound pressure level limits using the sound equivalent level of one hour (leq 60 measured in dB(a) scale)
7:00 am to 10:00pm, residential 55 dB(a)
10:00pm to 7:00am residential 45 dB(a)
B) Noise shall be measured by a meter set on the A-weight response scale, fast response. The meter shall meet the American National Standards (ANSA SI-4-1961) American standard specification for general purpose sound meters.
My name is Leola Ballweber, I live in Woodstock, Maine. The town of Woodstock Planning board used the DEP guide lines for sound, yet, approved a waiver to raise the sound levels.
The wind project was appealed at the town level, DEP level, which Warren Brown suggested a NRO for 3 turbines starting at 7pm and adding 3 more from 10pm till 7am, 6 of 10 turbines would be restricted during this time and then it was off to the BEP. After the Supreme Court case was dropped, only 20% chance in the citizen’s favor. Patriot Renewable petitioned for the NRO to be removed. My understanding is that it was granted and the NRO was removed.
What was learned was that the state does not have regulations in place to protect the citizens from the unique infra-sound projected by industrial wind turbines.
The science is there to prove it exists, yet it is the citizens who are left to protect themselves.
The wind industry does and will not admit that these machines on top of Maine’s mountains make noise.
The sound maps that are computer generated are flawed and incorrect in these projects.
Bayroot, LLC owns land that is part of the Spruce Mount Wind Project, leases were giving. As soon as the Spruce mountain wind project began construction, Bayroot, LLC began removing timber between abutting properties and the wind project. If, the abutters had taken some consolation in the filtering of sound through the trees, it was made clear, it was not to be. The Logging Company came in and literally stripped the land. They paid the fines for their actions and continued to strip the 1000’s of acres around the Spruce Mountain Wind Project.
It is clear that the wind company, land owners of the logging properties, walk hand in hand on these wind projects.
There is no consideration for the ECHO Effect from the surrounding ridges and sound traveling down into the valleys.
It has been made clear that this is not a time for emotions. It is clear that the distress felt by the victims of these projects will not be considered.
I present to you some facts from Woodstock:
There are over 90 abutting properties to the Spruce Mountain wind project. Most of those are seasonal residents. The figures that I am submitting to you are taken from the Woodstock Map/Lot Index dated Tuesday, January 2008. I checked with the town manager and he assured me that this was the latest, up to date version.
Concord Pond Area-
• 75 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land, $4,316,090.
• 1 local household considered year round resident of Woodstock
Shagg Pond Area-
• 67 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land $4,507,390.
• 3 local households considered year round residents of Woodstock
Cushman and Perkins Valley Road-
• 54 properties,
Town’s value for buildings and land, $$3,241,030.
• 29 residents considered year round residents of Woodstock.
The Combined total,
• properties within 1.5 miles, 196
• property values to the town- $12,064,510.00
• The number of residential property owners considered year round residents- 33
It is clear that the properties involved are mostly seasonal owners who pay taxes and buy groceries when they come to Woodstock. They may be considered seasonal citizens, yet, spend summers, go skiing, snowmobiling or just get away from their busy lives on weekends, year round. They have no vote at town meetings and could not participate in the decision of this wind project coming to their neighbor. Now they live with the blade flicker and the Whooosh Whooosh of industrial wind turbines. The wind turbines came to them and they are given a short list of alternatives in dealing with the noise. Please consider the impact this will have on the other small towns, who have or will have wind projects come to their town. Our small townships are now being put in the position no matter what they decide, for or against a wind ordinance; they can expect challenges from both sides of the issue. Law suits are costly, timely and can at times be indecisive in the outcome. (Moot) When the industrial wind projects are built in Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Sumner and phase two of The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is put into motion, these figures, one town at a time, will add up.
I believe that the Maine Legislature put us in this position of Fight or Flee and I believe the legislation should send a strong message to the wind industry. It is time for educating yourselves on the dangers of infra sound and making regulations that protect the citizens of Maine. Distance is the only control factor when dealing with this industry. I believe that the BEP’s intents are good, but feel that the 42 dB(a) is still too high, yet, it is a beginning.
Industrial wind turbines have a unique sound, they are a unique industry and the citizens of Maine deserve to be protected to the fullest from industrial wind’s noise pollution. I have been following the PUC with First Wind and see a pattern with the challenge to ethics, along with morals. Business is business and we should all go by the same rules, with the same penalties. They say that Enron is dead, yet, we are still dealing with the ghost of Enron,
There are other alternatives to choose from and Maine is already 30% renewable energy. Remove the cap on hydro and let the waters run. In these economic times, we should be consolidating, rather than wasting federal dollars on rich man’s projects. The down fall is that until someone tells the rich guy, he can’t walk all over the little guy, there will be casualties. The seasonal residents, tax payers and abutters to the Spruce Mountain Wind project are caught in the cross fire of this warring power for dominance on Maine’s mountains.
Another View on Impact of Industrial Wind
Woodstock Site Plan Review
Page 15 , Number 18
Noise: the proposed development shall not raise noise levels to the extent that abutting and/or nearby residents are adversely affect.
A) The maximum permissible sound pressure level of any continuous, regular or frequent or an intermittent source of sound produced by any activity shall be limited by the time period and land use which it abuts listed below. Sound levels shall be measured at 4 feet above the ground at the property boundary of the source.
Sound pressure level limits using the sound equivalent level of one hour (leq 60 measured in dB(a) scale)
7:00 am to 10:00pm, residential 55 dB(a)
10:00pm to 7:00am residential 45 dB(a)
B) Noise shall be measured by a meter set on the A-weight response scale, fast response. The meter shall meet the American National Standards (ANSA SI-4-1961) American standard specification for general purpose sound meters.
My name is Leola Ballweber, I live in Woodstock, Maine. The town of Woodstock Planning board used the DEP guide lines for sound, yet, approved a waiver to raise the sound levels.
The wind project was appealed at the town level, DEP level, which Warren Brown suggested a NRO for 3 turbines starting at 7pm and adding 3 more from 10pm till 7am, 6 of 10 turbines would be restricted during this time and then it was off to the BEP. After the Supreme Court case was dropped, only 20% chance in the citizen’s favor. Patriot Renewable petitioned for the NRO to be removed. My understanding is that it was granted and the NRO was removed.
What was learned was that the state does not have regulations in place to protect the citizens from the unique infra-sound projected by industrial wind turbines.
The science is there to prove it exists, yet it is the citizens who are left to protect themselves.
The wind industry does and will not admit that these machines on top of Maine’s mountains make noise.
The sound maps that are computer generated are flawed and incorrect in these projects.
Bayroot, LLC owns land that is part of the Spruce Mount Wind Project, leases were giving. As soon as the Spruce mountain wind project began construction, Bayroot, LLC began removing timber between abutting properties and the wind project. If, the abutters had taken some consolation in the filtering of sound through the trees, it was made clear, it was not to be. The Logging Company came in and literally stripped the land. They paid the fines for their actions and continued to strip the 1000’s of acres around the Spruce Mountain Wind Project.
It is clear that the wind company, land owners of the logging properties, walk hand in hand on these wind projects.
There is no consideration for the ECHO Effect from the surrounding ridges and sound traveling down into the valleys.
It has been made clear that this is not a time for emotions. It is clear that the distress felt by the victims of these projects will not be considered.
I present to you some facts from Woodstock:
There are over 90 abutting properties to the Spruce Mountain wind project. Most of those are seasonal residents. The figures that I am submitting to you are taken from the Woodstock Map/Lot Index dated Tuesday, January 2008. I checked with the town manager and he assured me that this was the latest, up to date version.
Concord Pond Area-
• 75 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land, $4,316,090.
• 1 local household considered year round resident of Woodstock
Shagg Pond Area-
• 67 properties,
• Towns value for buildings and land $4,507,390.
• 3 local households considered year round residents of Woodstock
Cushman and Perkins Valley Road-
• 54 properties,
Town’s value for buildings and land, $$3,241,030.
• 29 residents considered year round residents of Woodstock.
The Combined total,
• properties within 1.5 miles, 196
• property values to the town- $12,064,510.00
• The number of residential property owners considered year round residents- 33
It is clear that the properties involved are mostly seasonal owners who pay taxes and buy groceries when they come to Woodstock. They may be considered seasonal citizens, yet, spend summers, go skiing, snowmobiling or just get away from their busy lives on weekends, year round. They have no vote at town meetings and could not participate in the decision of this wind project coming to their neighborhood. Now they live with the blade flicker and the Whooosh Whooosh of industrial wind turbines. The wind turbines came to them and they are given a short list of alternatives in dealing with the noise. Please consider the impact this will have on the other small towns, who have or will have wind projects come to their town. Our small townships are now being put in the position no matter what they decide, for or against a wind ordinance; they can expect challenges from both sides of the issue. Law suits are costly, timely and can at times be indecisive in the outcome. (Moot) When the industrial wind projects are built in Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Sumner and phase two of The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is put into motion, these figures, one town at a time, will add up.
I believe that the Maine Legislature put us in this position of Fight or Flee and I believe the legislation should send a strong message to the wind industry. It is time for educating yourselves on the dangers of infra sound and making regulations that protect the citizens of Maine. Distance is the only control factor when dealing with this industry. I believe that the BEP’s intents are good, but feel that the 42 dB(a) is still too high, yet, it is a beginning.
Industrial wind turbines have a unique sound, they are a unique industry and the citizens of Maine deserve to be protected to the fullest from industrial wind’s noise pollution. I have been following the PUC with First Wind and see a pattern with the challenge to ethics, along with morals. Business is business and we should all go by the same rules, with the same penalties. They say that Enron is dead, yet, we are still dealing with the ghost of Enron,
There are other alternatives to choose from and Maine is already 30% renewable energy. Remove the cap on hydro and let the waters run. In these economic times, we should be consolidating, rather than wasting federal dollars on rich man’s projects. The down fall is that until someone tells the rich guy, he can’t walk all over the little guy, there will be casualties. The seasonal residents, tax payers and abutters to the Spruce Mountain Wind project are caught in the cross fire of this warring power for dominance on Maine’s mountains.
Thank-you, for the time. and the opportunity to speak today.
Ignorance is Bliss
Wind power is costly and depends on the wind blowing to make power. Take the limit off of hydro and let us use our natural gas for electricity production. Maine has been duped into thinking that we need more renewable energy and if people would do the home work, they would see that we are the greenest state in New England. We are shipping electricity out of the state and yet residents can't get a reduction. Change the policies and allow hydro power do its thing. The wind industry is loosing ground and Maine tax payers have had enough of the broken promises and the invasion of Maine. why does this group support the changes and mandates, because the people are fighting back from loosing their property value, the destruction of eco systems and the invasion of light flicker from 125 blades, not to mention the sound of wind turbines. Oh, they don't make noise!!!! Liars Liars pants on fire.... Wait until the public is really exposed to the truth about the wind industry scams.. Won't you feel small. Stop shooting yourself in the foot, SHOOTING YOUR MOUTHS OFF ABOUT MANDATES, WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE THE FACTS. Get the real facts on wind power. Maybe, just maybe we NIMBYS REALIZE THE LIES THAT ARE BEING TOLD.
THANK THE GOOD LORD ABOVE THAT OUR GOVERNOR HAS SEEN THE LIGHT AND IS TAKING ACTION.
NO MANDATES, NO OPEN SPACE TAX REDUCTION AND TELL THE PEOPLE FROM THE NRCM THAT THEIR MONEY BANK IS CLOSED. I NEVER DID LIKE THE WAY THAT MONEY WENT TO A CONSERVATION GROUP JUST TO ALLOW HERBICIDES TO BE PUT IN MAINE WATERS. TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT.
No Loss to Maine with the Loss of First Wind Investment
If First Wind does not have money to invest in development in Maine, then why are they still building projects that are costing tax payers and electric costs to go up in Maine? Why isn't telling this business that they should stop doing business in Maine, so non-negotiable? First Wind was investigated in New York State by the Attorney General and would suggest that it is time for our Attorney General to check out the wind industries moving into Maine.I was raised to have ethics, morals and to follow the rules. Who in Maine is enforcing and following the business practices of these large companies? Why is there so much difference in enforcing the rules between the citizens and large companies?
Wind power at 25% capacity is only destroying Maine's tourism,multiple cottage hideaways and our wilderness.It's time to tell the companies from outside of Maine to get out and stop carpetbagging in Maine. Maine needs to concentrate on what will best benefit the residents of Maine. Higher electric drives industries away, our hydro is not considered renewable energy and it would make more sense to add hydro to our renewable and to save our mountains for recreation and to have the Ahhh of seeing the world without the inefficient industrial wind turbines across 300 miles of our mountains.
Thank you for telling the truth on this issue and making the industry and politics responsible for creating the rules. Rules are in place to follow, not ask to be overlooked for "special cases". Where is the justice?
Mr. Hall your just trying to save your job
What we couldn't see coming was that the logging industry and the industrial wind turbine industry would decide to walk hand in hand across the mountain tops of Maine. It is time that people understand that they are doing major ecological damage to the land by literally stripping the trees, blasting the mountain tops and who cares about the herbicides being used or how it affects the spring waters that flow from these mountains. Maine has worked hard to clean up its water and now we are asked to just accept the new damages for Progress? I don't think so. You may think by ignoring us we will go away, but at the same time we are praying that your scam will be found out before anymore damage can be done. Just admit it, this wind turbine electricity is not to benefit Maine, it is to benefit Massachusetts. I don't like the idea of you saying it is "good for Mainers", when the the reason the turbines are going up in Maine is because the people of Massachusetts won't put them in their backyard.
Woodstock made an impression
Woodstock has followed the same path as Mars Hill. No public vote, no ordinance for wind turbines, and no DEP rules to control the developments. Will it also follow Mars Hill in the civil suit over the family's that were pushed into a corner with no other way to retrieve the quality of life that was destroyed by the Mars Hill wind project? If, the towns do not have an ordinance in place, then the industry, who has connections to the wood lots on these mountains, will buy their way into towns all across Maine. I would suggest that you contact Robert Rand and read his latest study on the unheard sound, vibrations, these monster machines on pedestals emit. No one seems concerned about the people who are and will be affected in the future from these projects. I have seen the towns people divided in Woodstock and the additude, "if it's not in my back yard I don't care" or " accept it for the betterment of the town". Very sad when world wide, people who have been subjected to the closeness of these projects and the sound are being affected. the wind industry has no scientific proof that the sound doesn't hurt or cause medical conditions that cause afflictions on the people exposed, yet, the there is scientific proof that industrial wind turbines cause medical conditions that can lead to serious health problems. Just Remember, wind may be free, but not the projects and like other federally funded programs, the money will end. No money, no more wind projects.
I challenge Erin Cox to call me and get my side of the story. If, she is an impartial reporter, than I would be glad to have her here the "OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY".
Just to remind the public, Woodstock's actions have shown the people of Maine, the importance of having a moratorium, creating a wind turbine ordinance, full study of the industry, and letting the people of the town vote, yea or nay. The leaders of Woodstock never gave a vote to the people and did not educate themselves on the industry. Thank-you to the other towns who are being responsible and following the American Way rather then the "Power's to Be in control" deciding for the people. Don't stay ignorant to the dangers of this industry and when the industry comes knocking on your door, make them prove their words and document the process. I do not see the little money that has been spread in Woodstock paying for the loss of the quality of life from this wind project. Think long and hard about industrial wind power, and if personal models of wind turbines can't sustain one house with electric, then how can industrial wind projects sustain the whole United States? Erin I would love to have a one on one. You really should inform yourself on the Rest of the story. Please, call me.
Rumford's Wind Ordinance
At least the people of Rumford got to vote three times. The people of Woodstock got no vote. The wind supporters slid in a change in the building permit and site plan ordinance and voted it in while everyone else was out making a living working. The trust of the citizens of Woodstock has been broken. Woodstock now has a 10 turbine wind project on Spruce Mountain and can be seen for 50 miles. Did anyone consider the health affects of these machines on pedestals and the affect they have on the townships who charge a "View Tax"? What will be said when the people who have ended up with just wind turbines in their view? What if, they decide that the tax is not worth the view? Did anyone other than the land owners, lessee and leasers really think the others affected would get any money? This is private business and Business is Business. Rumford needed to make the wind industry responsible in protecting the people before industry. The health affects out weigh the private money being thinly spread over Rumford.It should also be said that First Wind was forced by the State of New York, to sign an ethics contract because First Wind wasn't doing business in a fair and ethical way.This lead to First Wind moving to Maine instead of continuing their projects in New York State. They would like us to think it was industrial expansion, only I fear that they, First Wind, might have been run out of New York.
There have been a lot of things said By Patriot Renewables in Woodstock that seem to be changing as the project is built. the latest rumor is that the 20 year project will be ended in 10 years. That would mean that the town of Woodstock will miss out on 10 years of tax money and Patriot Renewables will never have to pay a dime of decommissioning costs. De-commissioning cost begins at year 12.If this is true, please tell me who isn't keeping their end of the insinuations made about building the Woodstock Spruce Mountain Wind Project? I applaud the citizens of Rumford in creating safe guidelines for an industry who is more concerned with federal dollars, than the safety of the citizens. I would remind the people of Rumford that it is the backers of the wind industry that has cut off the wood for the mill and broken their contract. It is a manipulation tactic being used to doubt your decision of the wind ordinance in your town. It is one of the oldest tricks in the book.
Rumford citizens walk proud and realize that it is not about for wind or against wind,IT IS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
Turbines in the Urbines
Another commercial for turbines and how green they are to the people of Maine. That mountain top cost the people of Woodstock a high price. When you consider that the town will take in $440,000 in taxes, have to deal with the possible loss of 75% if Patriot files for Open Space Taxation and decommissioning doesn't begin until year 15 of a 20 year life span project, it would seem that the deal has gone SOUR. As I have said before it is a MATTER of TIME and the charade will play out. The representativeS of the town have not taken the safe steps needed to protect the people that will be affected by this project. Depreciation of camps on Shagg Pond, Concord Pond, Eagles Net, which sits just below this project,along with the view tax received to nearby towns, possibly being lost, there are a lot of things that have been overlooked.
People need to know that the electricity made by this facility is not for the people of Maine. Just because it is built on Maine soil doesn't equal a gain for Maine. This is a Massachusetts company, owned by an international company, who will sell the electricity to out of state customers, the green credits to polluting companies, so thaT they can put out more pollution and still be legal, and the jobs created are not a spit in the bucket compared to what our federal dollars could have been used for insulation and better heating of homes. We have a long road ahead of us and with this project built based on how Mars Hill was done, we may have ourselves a HUGE lawsuit in the future. I pray every day that the wind turbines will not affect my neighbors in the ways that I have researched.Wind Turbine Syndrome Does exist. This is a great learning tool for the town of Woodstock, but I pray it will not be the downfall of the people.
Dr. Aniel got it right
Rumford has had two votes on wind power in their town. The third one is coming up and what happens in such a timely fashion? It seems the paper mill is in the process of chpter 11 due to finances. What people don't understand is that it is the companies that control the harvested wood that has cut off the supply of wood to the mill. These same logging companies are connected to the financial backing of the wind turbine projects. By cutting lumber, selling lumber, owning the property that the wind turbines are being placed and leasing the logging land around the turbine projects, there is a lot of money to be made. Sorry folks, but the people that you thought would protect the forests are the ones investing in wind turbines and sucking the tax payer of money that the government doesn't have... When is some one going to say NO to the fleecing of the government and the unstablization of the economic system of Maine????
Rumford Selectmen don't want an ordinance, looking for TIF
I sat in on one of the selectman meetings and could not believe the waste of time that was spent on delaying an ordinance. When the selectman decide to use the Spruce mountain wind projects spec.s to create their ordinance, it is a clear sign that they are wasting time. If they had done their home work, they would find that the Town of Woodstock did not make adequate provisions in their Site Plan ordinance and the Building Permit ordinance to deal with the safety of the residents. The DEP stepped in and put a sound limit on 6 of the ten turbines at night. This reduces their ability to produce electricity at their ultimate capacity. Night time is the most productive time for wind and for some reason, maybe our tax dollars, PR thinks they can still make money.That's right..... The Town of Woodstock doesn't have a wind turbine ordinance, so if anyone says they do, they are misleading the truth. We are just now addressing the creation of that type of ordinance, but it won't affect the Spruce Mountain Wind Project. That issue will be decided in Supreme court.
Why Appeal the Spruce Mountain Wind Project?
It is clear that most folks don't realize the magnitude of this project. Here are some facts;
There are 26 properties ranging from 2200 ft. to 3500 ft in the Eagles Nest Housing Project.
Just below that is Shagg Pond, which has 36 properties with in 3500 ft. to 4500 ft. Then add the 67 properties of Concord pond that are within 1 to 1 1/2 miles from the turbines and the 90 abutting properties in the Patriot Renewables Abutting Property List and you come up with 219 properties that are directly affected by this wind project. That doesn't include the aprx. of another 100 or more that are found within the 2 mile safety zone for mountainous projects like this one. That does not mean 219 people, that is only properties that are involved. If the standard family size is 3 or 4, then multiply by that number. Just for kicks and Giggles let us the number 3. that adds up to 657 people that Patriot Renewables says it WON"T AFFECT. Maine doesn't need to destroy our mountains for expensive wind turbines that our tax dollar is paying for..... And if they are using our tax money, why do they tell us that they can't disclose how the financial status is going because of TRADE SECRETS?
I say that if they are using our tax dollars, they should be allowing disclosure of how those tax dollars are being used. Oh, I also find it interesting that the man who owns the tower company has the same last name as Jay Cashman that is Patriot Renewables. Maybe these little towns who have cell towers coming in should say no and then the wind companies can't get there foot in the door of their town. It seems that cell towers and wind turbines are in the same category, even though the wind turbines have a machine on them that sounds like a jet engine and a height of 400 ft. Let's not forget the 250 foot blade swing. Maybe when we get done with wind turbines we will out law cell towers and we can go back to smoke signals. To much technology to fast and un-needed. If Massachusetts needs electricity then put it in their state not ours. We don't need the unsightly clutter on our mountains and we don't need the electricity, because we have enough of our own green electricity now.