Wind power’s clean energy isn’t without its noise
The view of Wolfe Island has changed dramatically since the wind towers were erected on the island. Bruce Horne’s recent letter “Wolfe Island wind turbine project should serve as a warning” (Oct. 3) caught my attention, especially because I had recently visited the island to listen as well as look.
The day I went was a low, overcast day with a steady breeze from the southwest. We drove to the west end of the island and back through the centre, where there were towers nearby and no traffic on the secondary roads.
We stopped and got out of the car. I heard what sounded like a light aircraft in the distance. I thought I would wait until the sound went away and then listen.
But the sound did not go away. It was being produced by the steadily turning windmills.
Also, I have been told that when there is a light breeze, the vanes “weathercock” constantly to catch the most wind available and make a mechanical sound while dong so. It is quite understandable why there are limits to how close these towers can be to residences.
It behooves us to become aware of both the positive and the negative aspects of this method of producing “clean energy,” one of them being the effect of the slight noise factor.
Felicity McKendry
Kingston
7 October 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- A blot on the landscape? These days, Wolfe Island is looking more like an industrial wasteland than one of nature's gems
- Are wind turbines truly safe?
- Wolfe Island wind turbine project should serve as a warning
- Wolfe Island: From beautiful place to an industrial wasteland
- Singer making waves over plan; Harmer to host radio show about island wind farm
- Why will taxpayers pay to rehabilitate roads?
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