June 18, 2013
Massachusetts

Standoff continues over Fairhaven wind turbines

by ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis | June 17, 2013 | www.abc6.com

The Fairhaven wind turbines were operating well past 7 p.m. last week, in a clear violation of the Board of Health.

The turbines were also making noise louder than 60 decibels. That’s a violation, too.

Town officials are angry.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Charles Murphy said, “I was disappointed. I was disappointed, that was my first reaction. Because I really, really thought we could work out some sort of compromise. And I am not saying we still can’t.”

But with the turbines running again 24–7, neighbors are furious.

The Powers family lives several hundred feet away, and its back to sleepless night.

Christian Powers said, “In the middle of the night I’ll wake up and go into the hallway and at the same time, my mom will be coming out of her room, at like 3 in the morning. And we’ll just agree, like, I can’t even believe it is allowed to be like this in the middle of the night.”

ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis said, “The owners of Fairhaven Wind declined and on–camera interview request from ABC6 News. But they did issue this statement saying they are under no legal obligation to turn these turbines off at night.”

That defies a Board of Health vote last week, and another vote Monday, saying the turbines must shut down at 7 p.m.

Dr. Barbara Acksen from the Board of health said, “We are supposed to be representing Fairhaven and the public health. And they really need to be shutting these down, if they are interested in protecting the public health.”

The owners of Fairhaven Wind say they “might” comply with the shutdown order, if they get a notice in writing. They are scheduled to receive that written notice on Tuesday.

[video available]


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/18/standoff-continues-over-fairhaven-wind-turbines/