December 17, 2011
Massachusetts, Opinions

Falmouth turbines will cost more in the long run

By BARRY FUNFAR, www.southcoasttoday.com 16 December 2011

The back of my home is 1,662 feet from Falmouth’s first industrial wind turbine, which started operation in March 2010.

I am certain that many, if not most people, have not a clue as to how “affected” with anxiety, stress, palpitations, panic attacks, depression, even suicidal tendencies some of us experience. Many others have only headaches, high blood pressure, irritability, anger, migraines, etc. It becomes worse as exposure time lengthens. I need to avoid the turbine, to stay indoors at my property, and to take frequent trips away from my home.

I could hear the Wind I turbine under nearly all wind speeds and directions, and I know that it makes varying noises depending upon a huge number of factors.

To subject myself to what is torturous for me is no longer going to happen. I have learned all I need to know about living too close to an industrial wind turbine. If I were the only person affected I would simply move, as all of my medical providers have suggested, but I am far from being alone, so I chose to fight. I intend to continue to live where I have for the past 32 years. But that can only be without the turbine.

I really do not understand why so many people find the problems with wind turbines so complex. What difference does it make just why some people living to closely are so adversely affected? Dr. Malcolm Swinbanks explains the difference in human perception of sound quite clearly. Dr. Alex Salt’s research shows that “what you do not hear can hurt you” (infrasound). Dr. Michael Nissinbalm’s recent epidemiological study in Vinalhaven, Maine, clearly shows the clustering of medical ailments of populations living close to industrial wind turbines. Many studies have determined that no one should be subject to living within 1.24 miles (6,547 feet) of an IWT. Some countries have adopted that standard. Most importantly to me, is that I know first hand what living 1,662 feet from Falmouth’s Wind I has done to me.

The town of Fairhaven has the unique opportunity to see exactly what has happened in the town of Falmouth with its failed wind project. The two 1.65 megawatt machines are now inoperative after Town Meeting (which had voted them to be built several years ago) was about to vote them out. In Falmouth, health is more important than money. The select board, in a great effort to save face, decided they would shut them down instead of allowing Town Meeting to do it. There will be another Town Meeting vote in the spring unless the selectmen permanently close the turbines down before that.

Eleven million dollars is the expected price tag to remove them. Is it worth the risk to Fairhaven to lose this amount of taxpayer’s money?

If the town goes ahead with the project, how can the outcome be expected to differ from that in Falmouth? Wind I in Falmouth is 1,320 feet from the closest resident. Fairhaven would have citizens within 900 feet. Medical and nuisance lawsuits would quickly eliminate any generation gains.

Just who are the geniuses who proposed this project in your town?

Barry Funfar lives in Falmouth.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/17/falmouth-turbines-will-cost-more-in-the-long-run/