Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wolfe Island Turbines
are noisy
Those Wolfe Island giants aren't so quiet
From The Whig Standard Archives
By: Gail Kenney
I suggest that local media provide equal opportunity for Wolfe Island community members who are not employees or landowners under contract with the Canadian Renewable Energy Corporation when these media discuss the potential impacts of the Wolfe Island wind farm on residents.
If it is unwilling to engage residents not in the employ of the company, the K-Rock radio station should consider correcting some of the misconceptions that may have arisen from the station's recent interview with the site manager of the wind farm, Mike Jablonicky.
Jablonicky referred in the interview to the turbines as "silent giants." In fact, the turbines generate 40 A-weighted decibels (with allowance for 53 A-weighted decibels in certain wind conditions, according to the Ministry of Environment's regulations governing noise from wind developments). This does not constitute silence.
The Ontario Government, in the Green Energy Act, has admitted there is a need for greater setbacks for wind turbines due to noise. It has proposed a minimum 550-metre setback from residences, with greater setbacks -- up to 1,000 metres -- for projects of more than eight turbines. Wolfe Island's setbacks are 400 metres and there are 86 turbines.
Local MPP John Gerretsen stated in an interview with the CBC that the new setbacks are needed "to best protect the health and safety of Ontarians," and that where turbines are shown to cause negative health effects, "the towers will be moved." Ministry of Environment officials who attended the public forum on the Green Energy Act held on June 25 in Toronto proposed that 5% of Wolfe Island residents in close proximity to the turbines could experience such negative health effects as dizziness, tinnitus, headaches and sleep disorders due to noise and vibration.
There are many islanders who are now quietly coming to terms with the reality that their own provincial government has declared that their health and safety may be at risk from these structures.
Gail Kenney
Chair
Wolfe Island Residents for the Environment
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6 comments:
"Silent Giants" What a load, some nights I can hear them. I am 5 miles away. I can't believe that Jablonicky got away with saying this.
Was Jablonicky the same company dude that claim to CV voters for wind that they shut them down during the migration? The lady actually told that story at a Cape economics meeting.
That's a good question.
When do rats migrate?
Jablnicky, if his name is spelled correctly, is TransAlta's head man on Wolfe Island. His idea of being responsive to complaint on Wolfe Island is to be available 24/7 and to dash out the minute he hears a complaint. That's it, nothing more. Just to dash out and respond quickly. After he gets there then it's a different story. He then tells those complaining that the turbine is operating fine, nothing unusual. What you hear is typical turbine noise.
What a farce. He must wear the same T-shirt every time he arrives after a complaint which reads, "You've obviously confused me with a man who gives a shit."
TransAlta makes the moves, feints caring, but in the end could care less. We don't want anything like these clowns anywhere in Cape Vincent and we don't want any more of the bastards in Wolfe Island.
Gail,you are an inspiration!!
thank you
I live in the Town of CV not the Village. Sometimes I can hear the WI turbines droning all night long.
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