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Wind Power News: September 2009
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Landowners say turbines have hurt their property values
In the years since the Forward Wind Energy Center came on line, “For Sale” signs have popped up all over Gerry Meyer’s rural neighborhood in the town of Byron. “There’s about six homes that are still for sale,” said Meyer, who has five towering turbines within three-quarters of a mile of his home on County Trunk Y south of Fond du Lac. Meyer is convinced that the aesthetically displeasing look of the 400-foot turbines and subsequent ill effects experienced by . . . Complete story »
Critics say wind turbines hurt land values
Land values have fallen on properties near wind turbines built as part of the largest wind power projects in the state, a study funded by wind-power critics says. The study found property values have fallen by at least 19% for sales of land near the We Energies wind farm in Fond du Lac County, and at least 12% for sales of land near Invenergy LLC’s Forward Wind project in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties, a report by Appraisal Group . . . Complete story »
The war over wind: Critics say green groups are too tight with industry
It was the strangest sensation Lynda Barry ever felt: a near-constant vibration within her body. “You know how sometimes, around your eye, you’ll get this little tic that kind of wiggles?” says Barry, of Footville, Wis., south of Janesville. “It was like having that in your ear and your chest. A pulsing. It’s the weirdest feeling!” Barry was standing in a house in Fond du Lac County, near a wind farm. The vibration she felt was created by wind-power turbines, . . . Complete story »
Wind farm fire source remains mystery
TransAlta Corp. is still investigating what caused a fire last month that destroyed one of its turbines at the Kent Hills Wind Farm, a company spokesman says. Although lightning has been ruled out as a factor in the Aug. 8 fire, Jason Edworthy, the director of community development for the Alberta-based company, said the investigation may take another couple of weeks. He said a replacement for the turbine, one of 32 at the southeastern New Brunswick wind farm, should arrive . . . Complete story »
Wind farm noise levels under scrutiny
An engineering expert has started testing noise levels at properties near the Waubra wind farm. Some residents close to the farm say low frequency noise from the turbines is damaging their health. Ballarat University engineering lecturer Graeme Hood will do the tests at several locations near the wind farm during the next three weeks. He says he hopes people keep an open mind about the results. “There has been a lot of interest in it and from a long way . . . Complete story »