Letter: Wind farm complaint process: Part II 

I would like to comment on “Wind farm complaint process in place” (letter, Oct. 31, 2011) by Susan May, Orangeville supervisor. (http://thedailynewsonline.com/opinion/editorials/article_a542d3ae-031e-11e1-8fe7-001cc4c03286.html).

On March 17, 2014, Invenergy or Stony Creek or Orangeville Wind, whichever name they are using today, went into commercial production according to the PSC.

Supervisor May suggests in her statement all will be well and good with the complaint process. Well …

On March 30, 2014, there was unbelievable noise at my home coming from the south, southeast. I called the Susan May/Invenergy Hotline – (866) 378-4580. There was no surprise here as it was dead. No ring, no answer, just dead. Thinking my phone was the issue I tried a cell phone and same thing; dead as can be.

On April 1, 2014, the noise was back from the southeast and there was loud thunder-like bursts along with the roar like you were next to Niagara Falls. I called (866) 378-4580 the Sue May Hotline. There was a recorded message to leave info. Great, I thought. I gave my name, then click, dead again.

I’m thinking perhaps they got part of my message but after 24 hours later, the mandatory response time I heard nothing. I called Invenergy’s O&M building in Strykersville – (716) 462-6151 – as I thought I could leave a message. Not! The recorded message said no message could be left as the mailbox is full.

The administrator called later and left a voice message and said to call (716) 462-6151. I called that number and as no surprise the same message, mailbox is full and I could leave no message. Reluctantly I emailed the administrator and project manager.

Later on I did get a call from the administrator who said there were phone issues and I informed her that the FEIS signed by the lead agency that is headed by Supervisor May had not been followed. I referred her to A.3.F of the FEIS. I was told she would send the info to Chicago for review, there was no local resolution as contrary to the FEIS.

The FEIS states the following:

Prior to the start of construction of the Stony Creek Wind Farm (the “Project”), Stony Creek Energy LLC (“Stony Creek”) shall mail a letter or post information at the Orangeville Town Hall to inform all Town residents and businesses of an e-mail address, street address, and toll-free or local telephone number where individuals and businesses can contact Stony Creek with any complaints, questions, or concerns related to the Project. Stony Creek shall make a form available to Town residents or businesses for written complaints. The form shall be developed prior to the start of construction.

A.3.F was signed by every eligible member of the Orangeville Town Board.

I asked the Administrator Mary Kehl to send me the mailing address and the email address as required in the FEIS. Ms. Kehl assured me she would and after two days and a follow-up email and no reply so far.

I then proceeded to contact the Orangeville town officials. Nothing posted on the door and on the new state-of-the-art Orangeville website no contact numbers or email addresses to any Orangeville official.

Today, April 4, 2014, I contacted Invenergy via email both the administrator Mary Kehl and Eric Miller, project manager, about noise the night of April 3 and April 4 from the southeast and a reminder of the promised documents to be sent to me and neither will reply to my concerns.

This shows just how accurate my article on the same subject was. (http://thedailynewsonline.com/opinion/editorials/article_8d1634a4-10ea-11e1-9601-001cc4c03286.html).

Paul Jensen

Orangeville