Wind turbines’ approval up in the air in Cohasset
COHASSET — The planning board will vote tonight on Cohasset’s first wind turbine project, seven months after it began a public hearing and more than a year after a wind bylaw was passed.
But the proposal, which calls for two 450-foot turbines, measured from base to blade tip, appears unlikely to get the unanimous support it needs.
The lone dissenting vote seems to be that of Stuart Ivimey, who said Tuesday that he was unlikely to change his mind at tonight’s meeting.
The two turbines, each capable of generating 1.65 megawatts of power, would be built near Hingham Lumber on Route 3A.
Ivimey says the developer has not met his burden of proof for the bylaw’s noise limitations.
When presenting noise data, the developer used “best-case scenario” numbers, Ivimey said..
Applicant James Sweeney of CCI Energy disputed Ivimey’s assertion that the turbines would be too noisy. His sound engineer used close to “worst-case” numbers, he said.
Board member Clark Brewer also disagreed, saying the applicant had not offered any numbers that were “unrealistic or exaggerated.”
Board members said they hope for a compromise. They agreed that outright rejection of the application would not be the best outcome.
Board member Charles Samuelson said he feared litigation from both the turbine opponents and CCI Energy.
The company plans to appeal if the proposal is rejected, but Sweeney would not elaborate on possible litigation.
Ivimey suggested that the board could approve just one turbine.
But Sweeney said that scenario “made no sense,” given that board members are not in agreement.
As a compromise, he and his partners are offering to put one turbine up, get feedback from the community about it, then put up the second, provided that the first has been found to meet all regulations and standards.
“I think that’s a big compromise,” Sweeney said, noting it would cost about $300,000 more to put the turbines up in phases.
Despite resident concerns about noise, the possibility of ice being thrown from turbine blades and the possibility of a turbine falling, board Chairman Alfred Moore said visual impact is the only “real issue” for most people.
“I think everything else in terms of objections is somewhat contrived,” Moore said. “Ultimately, that’s the criteria. Not that other things are unimportant, but they pale in comparison.”
The board will meet at 8 tonight at town hall.
By Allison Manning
6 May 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- Rejected Cohasset turbine proposal to get another look
- Cohasset wind turbines won’t be built, barring a successful appeal
- Discussion of planned Cohasset wind turbines to resume in 2 weeks; Residents will have another chance to comment on pair of proposed windmills
- No decision on wind turbines
- No go on Cohasset wind turbines
- Effort to build wind turbines appears in tatters
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