Thumb residents complain to state officials about wind turbine noise
A meeting in Lansing on siting wind turbines in Michigan got a little heated on Monday, as dozens of angry Thumb residents showed up to complain about noise from 78 turbines in Huron County.
There are two wind farms in the county, near Elkton and Ubly. Residents at the Michigan Public Service Commission meeting said the county’s 1,000-foot setback requirements aren’t strict enough. They told stories of being kept awake at night by the hum of the big blades.
They said any new windmills installed in Michigan need to be located as far as possible from homes, the Detroit Free Press reports.
The PSC is getting ready to issue recommendations on possible wind turbine setback requirements and noise limits. Right now, decisions are left up to local governments.
A independent study on noise from turbines near Ubly, paid for by wind farm owner John Deere Wind Energy, is due by the end of the year.
By Jeff Kart | The Bay City Times
24 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- Living by wind farms no breeze, some say
- Wind turbine noise is rattling some residents in Michigan's Thumb
- Thumb-area residents to air pros and cons of wind farms; Hearing is set for Monday in Bad Axe
- County to conduct noise study
- Wind parks decision not a breeze; State panel wants input on best location
- Should turbine zoning remain local?
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