January 23, 2014
Michigan

Commission will investigate turbine noise

BY NICHOLAS GRENKE, Tribune Staff Writer | Huron Daily Tribune | January 22, 2014 | www.michigansthumb.com

UPPER THUMB – Noise in Sebewaing Township from non-operational wind turbines has some residents complaining, according to a Huron County commissioner.

Huron County Commissioner Jeremy Tietz said members of the community have got his attention about sound from non-power producing wind turbines at the Pheasant Run Wind Project. He said Huron County residents need to make a written, official complaint by letter to the Huron County Planning Commission

“I understand why people are concerned,” said Tietz on Tuesday. “I will get in contact with NextEra myself.”

Florida-based NextEra Energy is the owner and developer of the Pheasant Run Wind Project. The 88-turbine project in Windsor, Oliver, Brookfield, Fairhaven and Sebewaing townships is set to be the largest in Huron County.

Half of the project was completed in December and is considered operational. Tietz said he believes that the noise complaints are the result of brakes screeching on the 44 turbines that are still under construction.

“We’ll try to do what we can for them,” Tietz said about people affected by the noise near their homes.

Construction on the second phase of the project should be completed in the spring, NextEra Project Manager Ryan Pumford said at a Huron County Planning Commission meeting in December.

The energy from Pheasant Run Wind Project will be sold to DTE Energy to help the company meet its clean energy goals.

Huron County Chairman Clark Elftman said that if Tietz is unable to contact Pumford, the county board would address the subject again soon.

The Tribune was unable to reach Pumford for comment late Tuesday.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/01/23/commission-will-investigate-turbine-noise/