June 3, 2012
Massachusetts

Fairhaven wind turbine controversy continues

By Chelsea Priest, www.abc6.com 2 June 2012

Just over a month ago, two wind turbines started spinning in Fairhaven, MA. The energy is being used to power municipal buildings. For some residents, the turbines are not a bother, one says, “they don’t bother me at all, I actually think they are kind of pretty. I was driving down RT 6 the other day and they just kind of happened upon me and I thought it was kind of cool.” Another resident explains, “I think we need to explore more energy options and this will be good for the town.”

But for other residents, who live nearby the turbines, they’ve lost sleep, they feel nauseous and dizzy from the constant noise and the flickering of sunlight through the blades spinning. Some have even had to call out of work due to lack of sleep. Kathy Starr says, “I went to work today and I had to leave…I’m hoping to take a nap this afternoon and if its that bad again tonight, I’m thinking of sleeping at my sisters.” Peter Gibbon also added, “my wife got a little disoriented and had to leave the room due to the flicker.”

It’s not that these residents are against wind power, it is where they are located that creates the issue. Carolyn Young says, “we’re against them being so close to homes where its going to make people sick, or irritable or anything besides comfortable.”

Neighbors are trying to get the attention of the Department of Health, one Fairhaven resident even did his own experiment to check sound levels of the turbines. Residents being effected by the turbines will be meeting with the Fairhaven Board of Health on Monday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/03/fairhaven-wind-turbine-controversy-continues/