June 14, 2013
Massachusetts

Kingston Wind Independence agrees to wind turbine testing

By Kathryn Gallerani | Wicked Local Kingston | Posted Jun 14, 2013 | www.wickedlocal.com

KINGSTON – An acoustic study of the Independence wind turbine conducted by the state Department of Environmental Protection will go forward.

Kingston Wind Independence co-owner and manager Kially Ruiz said that while there is still disagreement over the methodology, the monitoring will go forward as soon as MassDEP is ready to begin compliance testing.

“We are fully cooperating with DEP to conduct acoustic monitoring,” he said. “We’re welcoming them to conduct any kind of testing they want with the understanding that it will be done professionally and using an accurate methodology.”

Ruiz said no conditions have been placed on KWI’s cooperation, but Ruiz said he still has the same concerns he shared in a recent letter to Gov. Deval Patrick. Ruiz argued in the letter that DEP’s flawed noise testing protocol threatens the development of renewable energy sources in Massachusetts.

Board of Health Chairman Joe Casna said he’s pleased with this development, which resulted from meetings between KWI and DEP.

“We’ve got agreement between the developer and DEP, and that’s great news,” he said. “It’s good that it came about.”

Acting Town Administrator Nancy Howlett said she was notified last Friday by Ruiz that he would cooperate fully with the acoustic study and that it could begin immediately. DEP spokesman Ed Coletta confirmed the study will go forward and this week said DEP hopes to begin the study soon.

Residents affected by the turbine have been asking for compliance testing by DEP. Wednesday, there was still no word as to when the acoustic study would begin. The Board of Health will meet at 6 p.m. Monday night.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/14/kingston-wind-independence-agrees-to-wind-turbine-testing/