Wind Developer asks PSC to reconsider its denial of a construction permit for a wind farm in northwest Wisconsin. SHIRLEY... YOU JEST!

The state Public Service Commission on Friday declined to reconsider its denial of a construction permit for a wind farm in northwest Wisconsin.

By a 2-to-1 vote, the commission decided not to grant an emergency request filed last week by Emerging Energies, the company seeking to develop the Highland Wind Farm in St.Croix County.[Journal Sentinel on line]

The St. Croix County proposal encountered noise concerns

February 14 2013 the Wisconsin Public Service Commission PSC Issued a decision on Highland Wind Farm Application

 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.

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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.

[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.

Sources:

   Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

 DIRECT TESTIMONY OF TOWN OF FOREST PAUL D. SCHOMER, Ph.D. ON IMPLICATIONS OF THE  SHIRLEY STUDY

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