On July 20, 2007 Ruth & I decided to drive from the Gulf Shore to Elmira, which is on the northeastern tip of PEI, to visit with Dwayne Bailey and his father, Kevin, and view the new local wind farm. Both abandoned their lifelong homes because they could not tolerate the noise from this facility.
The Elmira wind farm uses Vestas V90 turbines. Each is approximately 120 meters high with blade diameters of 90 meters, average rotational speed of 16 rpm and power outputs of three megawatts each. Vestas turbines were used at Pubnico, and are also proposed for the Gulf Shore. Initial plans here were for 30 turbines, so far 10 have been placed. This could be the first of several proposed projects along the northeast shore.
View of Wind Farm From the Bailey’s Farm
We met Dwayne and Kevin at their old homes in Elmira. Their farm is across the road from the wind turbines, about 1 km away. This is traditional farmland with fields and scattered woodlands. Their farm was set on a slight hill rising from the road to the fields behind the homes. The Baileys are lobster fishermen who rent their farmland out for crops “so that the weeds do not take over the place”. Dwayne is a volunteer firefighter as well.
Dwayne reported that the wind farm was a PEI Provincial Government project. There were two initial community information meetings. Approximately $40,000 was offered for a community centre, and bonds were issued for those residents who wanted to invest in the project.
He said that a transmission line was constructed from Souris to take the power from these and other proposed turbines to the Maritime Electric Power grid. The plant was operational February 2007. Except for some basic construction and excavation work, plus crane work by Irving, Vestas did the majority of the installation. The site now has two to four employees. There was very little local employment as a result of this project.
Breakdowns and repairs were common. It was rare to have all 10 turbines working together. Dwayne stated that a few months ago, a portion of a rotor flew off one of the turbines and landed on a company vehicle’s hood.
Bailey Farm, Elmira, PEI
When we first drove into their yard, our initial impression was that their one kilometer setback distance should be fine. However, their problems began within weeks after the turbines started operating. When they were downwind from the turbines, and the air was moving just enough to turn them, (12-15 knots from the northeast), the noise was loud. It was a repetitive modulated drone of sound. Dwayne and Kevin both claimed it sometimes was loud enough to rattle the windows of their homes. The sound was even worse in the field behind their homes. Distances from 1 to 1.5 kilometers were the areas of the most annoying sounds. This spring the winds created constant misery.
Dwayne developed headaches, popping and ringing ears, and could not sleep. He tried new glasses, prescription sleep aids and earplugs, to no avail.
Dwayne’s two year old was sleeping well prior to the wind farm, but began waking up, 5-6 times a night.
Kevin Bailey stated, “When you are outside working and absorbed in what you are doing, you are OK. If inside, resting or reading, it’s a problem. Forget about sleeping at night. The repetitions would go away, you think that it is gone, and it comes back again.” Kevin tried sound dampening by draping the front walls inside his house, and sleeping in the back, but this did not work.
Kevin had problems with his electrical appliances. The fridge, water heater and power meter all vibrated. He purchased a new fridge, and it was just as bad. When the fridge was moved to the new house, the vibrations were gone.
They complained to the province and the municipality, but no one would take them seriously. One official suggested it was too quiet there which is a funny kind of problem to have. There was not enough ambient background noise to block out the sound.
Both families moved two weeks ago and they are feeling better. “We had to move back into town to get away from the noise.”
They could not in all good conscience sell the homes, but if they did, they felt new purchasers would soon be demanding their money back.
Dwayne said, “We have had six generations of little feet running through the grass, but now that is gone.”
Kevin noted, “All we ever had here was peace and quiet, and poverty. Now we only have poverty.”
Vestas V90 WindFarm, Elmira, PEI
We toured the wind farm site. Initially the winds were 12-14 knots. Downwind at 500 meters there was a loud rhythmic whooshing sound coming from each of the turbines that could be easily identified with their rotation. At least three or four turbines could be heard at once. The sounds were out of sync and confused. At 300 meters each turbine was very noisy from any
direction. There is absolutely no way you could live next to a turbine at this distance. We stood at the base. There were many sounds. Electrical high pitched humming, the deep whoosh of the sails or rotors as they sweep past every 5 seconds, a steady swish of the rotor tips, which are cutting through the air at 240 kilometers per hour. When the wind changed, the rotors made a sound like a jet engine taking off, until they were in position again.
Wind Farm with Ruth at Turbine Base
Within 300 meters, the towers and blades were incredibly imposing. Not something you would want to be around, or see. Looking up and watching the blades spin, hearing all the noise, was frightening. In winter ice throw anywhere within range of these units would be a huge concern. Dwayne had told us that the fire department was warned that in winter if they were required, they were to be very careful where they parked.
We went 1 km downwind and the loud rhythmic sounds could be heard from various turbines at different speeds, again, all out of sync with each other. A curiosity for a few minutes, but you could never live with this noise.
The wind picked up to about 18-20 knots and when downwind 700 meters to 1.5 km away, standing outside, you could not hear the noise. However, inside our car with the window down and out of the turbulence of the outside air the sounds returned.
Wind Farm from three kilometers away
Wind turbine setback bylaws for Cumberland County are clearly inadequate for protection of the rights of residents who will be living adjacent to wind turbines. They desperately need to be re-examined and amended.
Paul and Ruth Downing
11 comments:
Tell all your friends to check out the information on this blog because the more people know, the more of us to take a stand against irresponsible wind developers choosing locations that harm in the ways we've heard about and read here.
There are not enough sites in North America to sustain a wind industry that is forced to abide by a 2 Km set back because 1 or 2 families will be displaced. I know each of you who oppose the Pugwash wind farm believe this to not be true, but it is. For each kilometer of transmission for remote areas there is a significant drop in the amount of electricity that makes it to the end user. The costs also increase significantly, because of the roads and access that has to be constructed to get into remote areas. You cannot fly these machines' components into remote areas. The utilities that are purchasing this renewable power are doing so at bargain basement prices thus forcing very tight margins on the wind developer as well. As much as you think this is a hogwash in riches it is not. It can be profitable, but no where near as much as the historical fat cats at oil companies and banks.
The dilemna here is an age old one that has been stomped over by industry countless numbers of times for several decades all over the world. If you are going to stand here and oppose wind energy development than you should also start a blog to promote the closing of the several high polluting power plants in this region that cause way more damage than the purported effects of VAD could ever account for. There are thousands of known carcinogens that are pumped into our atmosphere everyday that will make you more sick than a swoosh swoosh ever will. You've obviously picked your battle in one of the most ironic or moronic movements that has perhaps ever graced this continent. As opposed to trying to shut down the development, why don't you try and get landowners compensated that are situated within 2 Km of a proposed or current wind farm. Now there is something that actually makes sense. Don't stop the project just provide money to those that are in the 2 Km radius, after all that is what this blog is about isn't it? Just MONEY!
Jus sitin hear in my hillbilly heaven with my wife - shes ma sis too and we all happy that you important folk along the Gulf Sore notice us. No offence taken: we know our place and recognise our betters.
Great premptive shot Ruth. Too bad the noise study released today says you are completely wrong. Not only that, the real data is now out in the open.
You have said that local turbines ( Higgins Mountain and Rodney are noisy ( whoose, swish, gear noise, jet plane etc, that vibrations are felt and that the towers are SCARY.
I have visited these turbines and find them monumental, sculptural and inspiring. I could detect no vibration until I put my hand on he towers when I could feel slight movement. The turbines are so quiet that I had to get out of my truck to hear them. Stopped under the moving blades, I first shut the engine off- no noise. I then opened the drivers window- no noise. I only heard the noise when I got out of the truck.
At each site I stopped ever 100 meters, shut the truck off and got out to listen. All noise above ambient dissapeared after 500 and before 600 yards in each case. I could hear tree limbs moving even though there were no leaves out (Google Beaufort Wind Speed Chart, then wind noise db to estimate in the field.)
My experience is completely opposite that of Lisa Betts and all noise surveys I have read Confirm my experience.
Well back to lieing on the porch with the pigs:
John McManus
John, I suggest you get your hearing checked because these turbines ARE noisy - and disturbing.
Now look you people, lets not get nasty or "comments" gets shut down - I warned you already.
Yet to see the Jacques Whitford report and see what criteria they used. We know that Ontario uses much higher dB(A) levels than recommended by World health Organization - 45 dB(A) for night-time rural levels as opposed to 30 dB(A) and that for now, Nova Scotia has adopted these Ontario criteria. The fact still remains that two families have abandoned their homes because of the nearby turbines.
Not a decision made easily.
Why don't you answer the comments of the second posting here Lisa? You know it is about money, so what happens if people within 2 km's of these sites are happy. Than your movement is done and your most recent day job would also be done.
Also John is right these machines are not as noisy as you all proclaim!
You can't hear very low frequency infrasonic sound.
A grid of many creates levels greater than a grid of few.
Bigger turbines create higher levels of infrasonic than smaller turbines.
Repetitive/monotonous infrasonic sound has the ability to affect your health resonating your internal structures.
The effects from an afternoons visit to a site is not the same as living near one long term.
As the price of oil escalates and becomes difficult to acquire due to the drying up wells the feasibility of locating these in remote locations will increase.
The concept of torturing people living near these installations so those living away from them can enjoy their electrical habits is unfair.
Why don't some of you who can't hear the noise offer to spend your summer vacation in the D'entrement house in Pubnico.
Blah Blah Blah!. The person who keeps on making the above statements is really starting to sound like a broken record. Your whinning is really irritating, but I am sure that is probably one of your stronger character traits.
The perception of the loudness of sound is dependent on one's age/sex/health/past injuries & illnesses /and state of mind.
Men tend to be hearing impaired from occupational exposure to heavy equipment and machinery.Road noises/leaky mufflers can temporarily
dull ones' senses.As can the moisture content of the air/wind turbulence etc.Someone in a relaxed state will be more perceptive than one in an active state of mind from perhaps driving a back road thru the woods?
Alcohol and damage from smoking or past illnesses can have an effect.
There is also a psychological effect commonly seen around wind farms.
Those who stand to profit or are politically motivated usually don't hear as well as those who stand to have their peace and quiet and enjoyment destroyed.
not only your peace n queit also your health n our childrens health, there really treatin us all like a bunch of ginnie pigs they dont care about anyone, just about money
Well the fact is we need the power. I have lived next to the 401in Toronto and the Yellowhead trail in Edmonton I assure you that you are o.k. I measured less than 45db 500 meters away from the wind farm in Norway PEI and that is one of the big Vestas 90 units. I have worked in heavy industry for years if I had the choice between living next to a gas plant,(ask the folks in T.O. about that this week)a coal fired power plant as I did in Wabaman AB. or a wind farm I know which one I would choose.
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