This article from the Berkeley National Laboratoty details a nationwide study which found that wind turbine sites had no effect on residential property values in the vicinity. The full report can be downloaded at this link.
Some commenters have raised a preliminary study by pediatrician Dr. Nina Pierpoint about a "wind turbine syndrome". This report is a compilation of anecdotal information from people who claim that they have a malady caused by nearby wind turbines. The subjects from her study are self selected, i.e. they reported their symptoms and were included rather than surveying all residents who live nearby. There are no causal relationships established in the report as one would expect in a rigorous scientific document. The report is not in a scientific journal but rather is self published by the author. There are serious questions about the peer reviews of this publication. While no one can prove there are no deleterious effects from living near wind turbines, the opposite is also true. No proof has been provided that deleterious effects do occur.
An article on the CleanTechnica website says,
A spokesman for the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) said that the size of the sample group and the methodology for the study "simply does not stack up scientifically". "This is research based on the symptoms of 38 unspecified people in a small number of unspecified locations," he argued, adding that a recent, more extensive study by acousticians at Salford University had concluded that there were no health risks arising from the noise from wind turbines.
I do not expect that the opponents of our wind turbine project will be persuaded by this evidence. They have reached a conclusion and ...
... are casting about for evidence to support their position.
I think I have arrived at my support for the project in the opposite manner. I have looked at the evidence and found that the installation will not be harmful to residents, will not affect property values, and is beneficial to the town.
Let us know what you think in comments.
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16 comments:
We the People of Maine feel that there is more than enough of an adequate level of findings in consideration of the value of one's health, quality of living, devaluation of real estate, and level of monetary investment required to install turbines of this scale, to validate a state wide moratorium on industrial scale wind turbine installations.
This, together with Dr. Dora Mills' (State Health Officer) recent authorization for further investigation by a university professor of proximity effects in current turbine locations, constitutes a reasonable and well-grounded basis for a state wide hold on Industrial scale wind turbine installations.
Industrial scale development of this scope currently lacks proper historical and scientific data required to make informed and educated decisions to insure the safety and well-being of all Maine citizens and threatens to undermine their Constitutional rights.
We respectfully request this acknowledgment from the Maine State Government.
Mars Hill , Maine
Todd, Wendy
My name is Wendy Todd and I am from Mars Hill, Maine. I grew up in Mars Hill, on a farm that has been in my family for generations. After getting married, my husband Perrin and I moved to southern Maine. About five years ago we moved back to the County to raise our children and enjoy the rural living that we both grew up with. Shortly after moving into our new home at the base of Mars Hill Mountain, construction began on the Mars Hill Wind Farm. The entire project went on line in March of 2007.
The wind turbines have changed our lives forever.
There are 18 families who live under a mile and downwind of the Mars Hill wind project who have been negatively impacted by these massive turbines. We all want for people to understand what is at stake when turbines move into your community. The 28, GE 1.5 megawatt turbines here in Mars Hill have destroyed a way of life that many have cherished for generations. It is an industrial facility that covers over 3 miles. It has destroyed wildlife habitat, breathtaking views, and property values. It has forever scarred the mountain. It has disturbed streams, ponds and wetlands. Safety issues with ice throw, risks of fire and tower collapse are all things that neighbors have to consider.
The noise created by the turbines can be unbearable at times. It causes disruption to sleep patterns, stress and anxiety to most who live downwind of the project. For some it causes headaches, pressure or ringing in the ears, inability to concentrate, feelings of unease, and dizziness. Others who suffer from migraines are saying that their migraines are worse and that their medications are no longer as effective in relieving the pain. Some of my neighbors have turned to medications and other therapies to cope. Most of us have had to alter something, either in our homes or personal lives, to cope with how the turbines have changed the environment. I am not talking about a simple nuisance, this is about life altering changes to the environment that can literally make people sick and change the way you live in your home and use your land. A large number of the families affected have considered leaving their homes.
Many in the acoustic and medical communities are calling for a 1.5 kilometer or greater set back for industrial wind turbines from homes, schools, and medical facilities for reasons of health and well being. Proper setbacks are the only way to provide protection.
I truly believe it is only a matter of time before the scientific data will be there to force more stringent regulation on this industry, but for now you have to protect yourselves because no one else is able to do so. Your friends in Mars Hill are begging that you listen and heed our warnings before you too find yourself in this nightmare.
Wendy Todd
November 5th, 2009
North Country Advocates wind turbines and property value – real life experience
`My spouse and I have a home to sell in the village of Malone. One prospective buyer, pre-approved for a loan, had a list of items that were “deal breakers” for the bank. Among those terms and conditions of the property site were: 1.) It not be located on a landfill, 2.) It not be constructed near an oil spill or any identified DEC site and … 3.) It not be near “windmills” as the term was said. So much for no loss of property value. Here we have a local bank who will not approve a loan if the property is near “windmills”.
Have you seen the ones that are constructed just beyond Chateaugay?
Horrifying!!
Beth Mosher
At the end of the project it will be the public officials who are potentially misrepresenting the benefits of the wind turbines and should be held accountable.
Does anyone know if Dr. DiPippo and/or the AEC looked into the potential health hazards of these turbines in other areas of the country? Have either looked into the value of the real estate near these wind turbines, in other areas of the country?
I may have missed hearing that either had, but if they have not, shame on them, especially the AEC, a committee of Dartmouth members, one who is our own selectperson, if I am not mistaken.
You need to do some research and find somewhere in the United State that wind turbines are placed hundreds of feet from 500 residential homes . These presentations put on here as posts continue to leave out facts. The facts are left out so that only the positive parts of the studies appear to make these turbines appealing to local officials who are being sold a bill of goods . You all will find that wind turbines are setback in the thousands of feet not hundreds. It's not what is in the studies and plans it's what's left out !
The town has used greed as the method of installing these turbines . The false promise of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year pits one end of town against the other . The residents of Dartmouth have got to look at what's happening on Chase Road and Russells Mills Road and ask how long before your told it's going to happen to you !
You should not permit the SB to overrule your consciences. All the residents have a duty to avoid allowing the government to make them the agents of injustice of the residents around these turbines. Are the residents of Dartmouth afraid the government will retaliate? These are your representatives !
From the Town website, members of the AEC:
Members (10)
Name
Position
Ron DiPippo, Ph.D.
Chairman
Nathalie Dias
Kevern Joyce
Arthur C. Larrivee
Paul M. Lopes
Raymond Medeiros, Jr
Ubert Manderville
Roger E. Race
Saul Raposo
Joseph C. Sousa
David Cressman
Ex-Officio member
(Mr. Cressman, as executive administrator, must have taken Michael Gagne's seat.)
Go to Portsmouth,,,find the median devaluation in the area due to housing financial crisis and then find a home sold near the turbine...it is not HARD to indentify if there was a significant drop in percentages
Wind Turbines=Clean Energy.
Wind Turbines=$$$for the town
Wind Turbines=Less oil & gas use
Wind Turbines=Smart Energy
Wind Turbines=Safe
Now, I am not saying we should just put turbines anywhere. When wind turbines are constructed, there should be careful thought for existing surroundings. And, by the way, this is Massachusetts, not Maine!
OMG! A drop in real estate in Maine! I can't imagine that ever happening!
The attacks on this wind project are absolutely truthful. Freedom of speech will expose the dark corners and all the corruption of American public life.
Wind turbines appear to have a major impact on real estate. The wind turbine proponents use state of the art field guides produced by wind turbine manufacturers .These only look at one side which explores the current state of the industry, examines real estate-related research, provides wind maps and regulations to give an indication of where future projects might unfold, and gives resources for further study.
As wind turbines spread, local opposition to the massive towers (some over 400 ft tall) is appearing. Residents not only oppose the turbines for aesthetic reasons, they also worry how wind farms will impact property values.
Who represents the homeowner ?
By Gina Macris The Providence Journal, R.I.
Publication: The Providence Journal (Rhode Island)
Date: Sunday, August 9 2009
Aug. 9--PROVIDENCE -- A company responsible for installing Portsmouth's much-celebrated new wind turbine owes subcontractors nearly $250,000, according to lawsuits filed in Superior Court.
The largest creditor is Hallamore, the heavy equipment operator, which in June filed suit, seeking $201,363.
Welding of Pawtucket also has filed to secure $38,296 it says it is owed.
Both companies say they have not received any money from the defendants, AAER Wind Energy of Canada, AAER USA, and Wind Smart LLC.
So far, their monetary claims are uncontested in court documents.
A third creditor, Specialty Diving Services Inc., filed suit in March to obtain $28,747.50 it said it was owed. The case was settled for the full amount in late April.
Specialty Diving handled the barge transport of several pieces of the Canadian-made 1.5 megawatt wind tower between Quonset Point and Newport. The massive components were too heavy to travel over any bridge approach to Portsmouth.
The windmill, 336-feet tall, began generating electricity for the town in mid-March. The assembly of the turbine has been featured on a National Geographic television special.
Lawyers for HB Welding have obtained a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Town of Portsmouth from paying Wind Smart any of the money it has held in reserve on the wind tower project.
That amount is between $25,000 and $34,000, Town Solicitor Donato Andre D'Andrea said Friday.
A hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for Aug. 27 before Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein.
The restraining order, in effect, also bars the town from paying Wind Smart any money on an existing five-year maintenance contract for the windmill, according to D'Andrea. Meanwhile, Hallamore's lawyers also are seeking the money in the reserve fund, as well as payments on the five-year maintenance contract, valued at $142,363 in court documents.
Alexander Pichs, the project manager for the installation in Portsmouth, declined comment, referring all questions to Dave Gagnon, chief executive officer of AAER in Bromont, Quebec. Efforts to reach Gagnon were unsuccessful Friday.
Pichs said he was the original owner of Wind Smart, which was acquired by AAER USA, a subsidiary of AAER of Canada.
The parent company, meanwhile, announced on July 24 that it has signed a $2.6-million contract to build a wind tower for the Massachusetts Municipal Light Department Wind Energy Cooperative in Baldwinville, Mass.
gmacris@projo.com
All this about 2 wind turbines? Just where is that a connection to a massive wind turbine farm? Who is doing these postings? Nostradamus?
The point is Dartmouth is buying AAER turbines from a bankrupt wind turbine company.
Trading Halted 12/02/09
X Bid - Ask Last Chg % Vol $Vol #Trade Open-Hi-Lo Year Hi-Lo Last Trade News Delay
AAE - V - AAER Inc. HALTED 0.13 0.33 0.085 Nov 30 15:54:33 Dec 02 15 min RT ¢
Trade times are ET. News times are ET. Bid/ask/vol sizes in thousands.
Fundamentals · Portfolio
It is absolutley false, a flat out lie, to say that Dartmouth has purchased wind turbines from anyone, much less from AAER. You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to spread that lie.
In fact, the town has not ever appropriated a single penny to purchase any wind turbines.
Anyone reading here is free to contact Mr. Iacaponi at the Town Hall to verify my statement. Not a peeny has been appropriated, no requests for proposals have been issued, no contracts signed. The statement here that the town has purchased AAER turbines is a lie.
Bill , The application for special permit does use the AAER wind turbine as the turbine on pages 7 and 8 . Why only this turbine it makes no mention of any other type of wind turbine except an AAER turbine ?
TABLE 1. Specifications for AAER Model A-1650/80Rated power1,650 kWRated wind speed12 m/sCut-in wind speed3.5 m/sHub height100 mNumber of rotor blades3Rotor diameter80 mSwept area5,027 m2Power control methodVariable pitch bladesSystem life20 years
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Page 8
Special Permit ApplicationAlternative Energy Committee8K.Provide the materials specifications of the proposed WECF by type and specifictreatment for the wind turbine tower and all other proposed equipment/facilities. The exactmaterials specifications will be available once the equipment supplier has been determinedthrough a bidding process. Table 2 shows typical specifications for an AAER turbine ofsimilar power and design anticipated for the Dartmouth Wind Turbine Project.TABLE 2. Typical materials specifications for AAER model wind turbines.
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