Wind turbines are noisy
Credit: Rutland Herald, www.rutlandherald.com 22 January 2010
I’ve been hearing lots of conflicting opinions on just how noisy wind turbines are. Since I live near where the Vermont Community Wind Farm is proposing a series of 400-foot turbines, I figured I should find out for myself. I took the drive with a friend to Lempster, N.H., where there are already industrial wind turbines in operation.
As we approached Lempster, we came to a spot about a mile from the turbines and stopped to take a picture. As I was setting up my tripod, my friend said, “Hear that?” At first I thought it was a waterfall or the wind in the trees, but then I realized it was a different sound, like a jet in the distance but with a pulsing sound to it. It was very steady, as in continuous with no let up.
We found the wind farm entrance, and since the gate was open, we drove right up to the turbines on a very wide access road. Those turbines were loud. I’ve heard industry experts claim that a turbine is no noisier than a refrigerator. It makes me want to shout, “You lie!” as is in vogue these days.
I can tell you from first-hand experience, industrial wind turbines are loud, and when you line up a bunch of them in a row, they are very loud. Here’s a link to an online video, so you can hear for yourself: http://nowindfarms.com/blog/wind-turbine-sound-abc-charles-gibson Or better yet, take the drive to Lempster and listen.
JOHN GEERY
West Rutland
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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