SUBMITTED: Apex projects addresses comments to preliminary scoping statement | STAFF REPORTS | Lockport Union-Sun & Journal | February 28, 2016 | www.lockportjournal.com
Apex Clean Energy’s Lighthouse Wind project has submitted its responses to comments made concerning the preliminary scoping statement on the installation of wind turbines in Somerset and Yates.
More than 1,100 comments about the statement were received from 254 commenters, according to Lighthouse Wind. The comments, detailed responses and the scoping statement can be found at the New York State Public Service Department website under the case number 14-F-0485 or at www.lighthousewind.com/psscomments.The preliminary scoping statement was filed in November.
Apex is proposing to build a 201 megawatt wind energy generating facility in Somerset and Yates. The project includes the installation of wind turbines, which have been opposed by a number of residents in both towns.
In its general summary of the comments, Lighthouse Wind said the majority of the comments were general concerns about the project, or generalized support or opposition of the initiative. Many of the concerns addressed any perceived possible health and safety impact the turbines would have, such as noise and vibration of the turbines.
Lighthouse Wind has consulted – and will continue to – with the health boards of Niagara, Genesee and Orleans counties, the company said. And in its application, Lighthouse Wind plans to provide additional details on construction and health effects. Lighthouse Wind said it will “perform a literature review and assessment of potential public health effects, including concerns raised by PSS commenters such as noise, sleep disturbance, infrasound, EMF (electromagnetic field), blade throw, ice throw, tower collapse, shadow flicker, fire, lightning strikes and wastes.”
The company will develop and include a comprehensive complaint resolution process for noise and public health issues, the response said.
The noise impact analysis will include a model of what sound levels can be expected from the turbines at the residences within the project area. The project will be kept at a nighttime maximum of 45 decibels, according to the response from Lighthouse Wind.
Some of the comments asked for a baseline health study. Lighthouse Wind said it “believes the weight of scientific evidence demonstrates that a baseline health study is not required prior to the construction of the project and that the evidence supports the position that a properly sited wind project will not result in adverse health effects in the community.”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/02/29/lighthouse-wind-responds-to-statement-comments/