June 27, 2013
Massachusetts

Turbines will be on at night for testing

By Peggy Aulisio, Editor | June 27, 2013 | www.southcoasttoday.com

AIRHAVEN – The wind turbines were turned on Tuesday, June 25, at midnight to around 4 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, for testing.

The state Department of Environmental Protection said it was asked by Fairhaven Wind LLC to “perform additional sound sampling to assess the impact of operational changes to the wind turbines.”

In a letter to the Board of Health, Martin Suuberg, DEP deputy commissioner, said the purpose “is to help detemine the effects of various noise mitigation strategies,” such as shutting one turbine down or feathering the blades.

Mr. Suuberg has asked the town to try to work with the developer to solve the problem of noise levels being beyond those allowed by state law.

The Board of Health voted Monday to allow the turbine tests. The health board` sent a reverse 911 notice to residents on Tuesday notifying them of the testing.

Laurel Carlson of the DEP told Health Agent Patricia Fowle they would be trying “to capture two wind events.”

If additional testing is needed, it will take place on Friday night, June 28, at 12 p.m., to around 4 a.m. Saturday.

Also on Monday, at the request of Fairhaven Wind LLC, the Board of Health set a hearing date of July 15 to discuss the developer’s plans for mitigation.

Ms. Fowle said, “They have a right to request a hearing before this board.” She said Fairhaven Wind said it would be “ready to submit a mitigation plan for the Board of Health to review.”

The Board of Health voted June 10 to order Fairhaven Wind LLC to shut the turbines down from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/27/turbines-will-be-on-at-night-for-testing/