2/15/2013
PSC denies Highland Wind Farm
PSC Issues Decision on Highland Wind Farm
Application
From the Wisconsin Public Service Commission
From the Wisconsin Public Service Commission
For Immediate Release
MADISON - Today the members of the Public
Service Commission decided, on a 2-1 vote, to deny an application of Highland
Wind Farm, LLC, for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to
construct a 102.5 Megawatt (MW) Wind Electric Facility in the Towns of Forest
and Cylon in St. Croix County.
The majority commissioners determined a clearer record and a
better demonstration that noise from the wind turbines would not exceed
Commission standards (45 dBA nighttime) was needed before making a decision to grant a
CPCN. Highland Wind Farm, LLC, will be able to reapply to the
Commission if an improvement to modeling and additional information is
presented in a subsequent application.
~~~
The Shirley study demonstrated conclusive evidence that Low Frequency Noise (LFN) is a significant emission from industrial wind turbines.
Subsequent to the completion of the Highland Wind Farm's Environmental Assessment (EA), a report investigating infrasound and low frequency noise (ILFN) conducted at the recently constructed Shirley wind farm in Wisconsin was completed and submitted to the Public Service Commission.
The Shirley study demonstrated conclusive evidence that Low Frequency Noise (LFN) is a significant emission from industrial wind turbines.
In the direct testimony before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Dr. Paul Schomer [1] said that it is fair to say that the range of acceptable noise limits of 33.5 dBA as recommended by me and 39.5dBA as recommended by Hessler for the Highland Project should be considered a target range for promoting the health and safety of Town residents and definitely should not be exceeded.
The above recommendations by Hessler 39.5 dBA, and Schomer 33.5 dBA are compatible with Cape Vincent’s zoning law which limits noise to 35 dBA.
Wednesday, February 13, Cape Vincent Town Board members passed a resolution calling on the New York State Public Service Commission to halt “any discussion, consideration or determination” regarding wind turbine noise impacts until the effects of infrasound and low frequency noise are properly assessed.
This resolution was prompted by a recent action taken by the Wisconsin Towns Association advising the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to ban wind development, citing the need for further studies, based on the results of the Shirley Wind Farm report.
[1]Paul D. Schomer of Schomer & Associates Inc., Dr. Schomer is chairman of the International Organization for Standardization working group on environmental noise and chairman of the American National Standards committee on noise. A group of Cape Vincent residents commissioned Dr. Schomer; NY to evaluate the pre-construction noise studies conducted by BP and Acciona's consultant Hessler and Associates.
Sources:
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
[1]Paul D. Schomer of Schomer & Associates Inc., Dr. Schomer is chairman of the International Organization for Standardization working group on environmental noise and chairman of the American National Standards committee on noise. A group of Cape Vincent residents commissioned Dr. Schomer; NY to evaluate the pre-construction noise studies conducted by BP and Acciona's consultant Hessler and Associates.
Schomer's findings in Cape Vincent contradict the studies done by Hessler Associates Inc.
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
7 comments:
In mid-March when BP files their scoping document and declares 35 dBA is unduly burdensome is when ALL of the Highland Wind Farm noise testimony from the Wisconsin PSC will begin raining down on BP's parade and onto the Cape Vincent Wind Farm's record.
Cape officials, begin downloading!
Would that be the time to start preparing the legal complaints against all of those who may have knowingly been presenting false information?
Cases of misrepresentation have been filed after a developer put up the turbines when those who were lied to found out the pre-construction information may have wrong.
Even the former Planning Board Chair who has leases with Bp once said something like we will put them up and if they are too noisy then we will do something about.
So, I think Cape Vincent should be prepared to file intent against those who may have publicly given the citizens the wrong information.
The present Planning Board Chair has recommended that the 3.95 who have leases consider a class action suit against Bp so the community could do what was recommended by a pro wind citizen-take wind out of the hands of the article 10 and give it back to the community.
A scarlet letter has been passed around the Cape telling us it is time to come together.
Mr. Pierson better known as Mr. Fixit who wrote the scarlet letter has gone to the town board and said that he wished for the days before article ten when the town and not the state and bp was making the decisions on windmills. He wants us and not evry body else and there brother to get benefit.
Mr. Fixit is an expert on windmills and runs his farm with wind and soler. He believes we can do it ourselves without bp and article ten.
Our town planner agreed with him and recommended to him that the wind leases holders take a class actions against bp to get out of their leases so they too can now make their own choices and not have to do whatever bp tells them they have to.
What a great idea! All the pro cape people can come together to help them out with getting out of their leases and then the town would become in charge of their own green energy destiny and would come together once more and share the wealth.
ask your wind lease holding friends to join Mr. Piersons pro cape movement and help them get out from under bp leases.
thank you Mr. Pierson from a fellow pro caper
Fact: If you are right under a turbine you can't hear it so good. So if I said it. OK.
9:44 A "scarlet letter" !
This idea should not be scoffed at. It could be the action that really has the potential to heal this community.
If the leaseholders are willing to acknowledge the damage done by BP and previously Acciona, by securing leases and compromising our former government, prior to allowing the community to research the concept of wind development unencumbered by the bias of promised fortunes, and truly make an effort to be released from these leases, I personally believe this would open the door for some mutual understanding.
Pro-wind or anti-wind, any thinking person can recognize that the serious rift in the social fabric of Cape Vincent is not the product of the people who live here, it is the product of the lure of profit coming before principles.
Not just the principle of ethics in government, but the principles of friendship, family, trust, genuine concern for your neighbor,respect for each other,tolerance and admiration of our differences, respect for our environment, respect for the way of life in rural New York,and America. Respect and appreciation for our historical and cultural assets, respect for and accomodation of our native wildlife.
The lure of profit has dealt a serious blow to the well being of this community, and it will continue to do so as an actual physical entity as long as BP holds claim to our land and the hearts of those indentured to them and sold on the promise of easy money.
Breaking these leases would represent a genuine interest to rebuild a community base.
smGood points 8:04
9:44 his name is spelled Pearson.
I agree that what Mr. Fixit has brought to the town board is spot on. Take back the local decisions and dump bp. Brilliant. Be patient though with the healing. Many voters for wind were put under pressure by the developers and their community person and were conned into some terrible behavior. Many don't dare speak because they are afraid of the voters for wind. One pro wind guy even got attacked from behind and knocked to the ground by a pro wind person filled with rage. Get rid of bp and the healing will come. Pro wind rage has taken ten years to build up. Get rid of bp and I bet the town will feel relief and heal in just a couple seasons. Join the Pearson dump bp restore the love movement.
Janet, you're probably reading this. Are you genuine when say nobody is happy with ART. X? What exactly do you mean by unhappy?
do you recognize at all ,that the damage done to this community is the result of all you leaseholders selling out?
Is it possible you may finally realize you could hold the cards to saving the Cape's future as a community?
Break your leases!! Relieve yourselves and this town from the grip BP has on us. With no leases, and therefore no community support, BP has no project!
If you truly recognize the insanity of ART. X, take action and we can all thumb our noses at Cuomo and his tyrannical siting process.
Some may trivialize this idea, and mock it as a whim ,or a sham, but I ask you and the rest of the leaseholders and Voters for wind to think of the real possibilities that could evolve from such an action.
Are your sentiments about the good of the community real or just another propaganda tactic from Marion Trieste?
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