Do Wind Turbines Belong in My Neighborhood?

Many of my local friends (and a few of my online friends) have been asking me to post my recent essay regarding wind turbines. Here is where my research led me. I hope you find it helpful.

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Do Wind Turbines Belong In My Neighborhood?

The headline reads, “Town of Wrightstown calls for moratorium on wind turbines.” The article in the Wrightstown Area Spirit states that “electors passed a…citizen-led wind turbine initiative” that demands, “a local ban on the turbines, coupled with a directive that the town also seek a state moratorium until health, safety, and economic concerns are addressed” (Pinkham). This small town has been in an uproar since Invenergy began plans to install wind turbines in an area of the Niagara Escarpment locally called “The Ledge.” Citizens, including me, are worried about aesthetics, turbine noise, blade flicker, and issues related to the migration of birds and other wildlife, and higher costs for electricity.

We have been told that wind energy is a good thing, that it is considered renewable energy, and keeps us on the path to improving our environment. So, what would lead citizens to join forces to gain a moratorium on this “green” effort? I want to make an informed decision about this process. This required some in-depth research, which unveiled some interesting information—details that are of importance to all of us who are concerned about our environment.

I would venture to say that most of us have seen windmills throughout the country side, particularly near farm houses. They usually were used for “tasks such as pumping water, grinding grain, and chopping wood” (Dru Tecco). Today, however, the most popular use of wind power is to produce electricity, and these are not the 30’-40’ high wind mills of the past. The new models planned for The Ledge are actually wind turbines that will have “a total tip height of 118.5 to 126.5 meters (388.8 to 415.1 feet)” (BCCRWE). Imagine having a structure that large within 1,500 feet of your home. Aesthetics aside, there are some real concerns that have been raised by local residents.

In her book Wind Turbine Syndrome, Dr. Nina Pierpont describes a set of medical symptoms which appear to be directly correlated to the noise and vibration of wind turbines near homes. Some naysayers suggest that any symptoms related to the turbines are psychosomatic, and related to “a person’s attitude toward a sound—meaning whether it’s a ‘wanted’ or ‘unwanted’ sound…” (Pierpont). While I agree this could happen occasionally, I think the evidence shows that many of the sound concerns are valid. Many individuals can actually feel “vibration or pulsation…in the chest” (Pierpont). I have personally experienced this phenomenon on several occasions. Many homes in the area of the ledge will be dealing with sound levels of up to 50 decibels (BCCRWE). This is considered low frequency noise, however, this level of vibration can have damaging effects on the body.

Birgitta Berglund, lead editor of the WHO Guidelines for Community Noise, is quoted by Pierpont, saying that “evidence suggests that a number of adverse effects of noise…arise from exposure to low frequency noise.” She adds that, “low-frequency noise also differs from other noise in producing vibrations of the human body and other objects…. Motion sickness has been linked to low-frequency noise even without accompanying vibration” (Pierpont). The long-term health effects of this kind of low-frequency sound must be considered.

In addition to the noise, another consideration is the “flicker effect.” A briefing paper by Wind Engineers, Inc, explains that “shadow flicker caused by wind turbines is defined as alternating changes in light intensity caused by the moving blade casting shadows on the ground and stationary objects, such as a window at a dwelling” (Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council). According to Pierpont’s study, this flicker effect, along with the low frequency vibration can “trick the body’s balance system into thinking it’s moving” (Pierpont). The side effects from this can lead to many symptoms, such as: “sleep disturbance, headache, tinnitus, ear pressure, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, tachycardia, and irritability, problems with concentration and memory; and panic disorder” (Pierpont). While not everyone living near wind turbines experiences these symptoms, I wonder if it is worth taking the risk.

In addition to the human side effects of these turbines, let’s take a moment to consider the impact on wildlife. “In 2004, the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit in federal court in northern California to protect birds—particularly raptors, such as eagles and hawks—from harm caused by about 1,400 wind turbines in the Altamont Pass east of San Francisco” (Wright and Griswold). In addition to the raptors, “an average of 15 to 40 bats are killed for each MW of power generated from windmills. As each windmill typically produces 2MW, this amounts to a large number of bats” (Wright and Griswold).

Birds like the raptors are attracted to the height of the windmills, but end up getting caught in the blades. Eagles are just beginning to make a strong comeback here in the Fox River Valley. Do we really want to endanger them with the use of these wind turbines? The bats are drawn to “the insects that congregate near the windmill…and others may be attracted to the sounds emitted by the turbines” (Wright and Griswold). We need our bats for natural control of the mosquito population.

We’ve talked about the impact of wind turbines on human and animal health, now let’s talk about the impact on our wallets. Many struggling farmers are enticed by the reward of payment for the use of their land. Who can blame them in these tough economic times? It is tempting to give up some land for, what some consider to be, generous compensation. What, though, is the real cost?

In 2006, Governor Doyle signed legislation requiring that by 2011, 20% of Wisconsin’s energy must be supplied by renewable sources (Wisconsin Dept. of Administration). That sounds like a great goal, except for one thing—the price tag. Wind may be free (though unpredictable), but harnessing it is quite costly. According to the BCCRWE, the average cost for the wind turbines to be built on The Ledge is $3.2 million. The gross income generated runs approximately $15,000 per month. Over a 30 year period, it is estimated that there will be a net loss of approximately $222,000,000 for the project (BCCRWE). There is only one way to recoup that kind of loss—through higher electricity rates. Going “green” on the backs of taxpayers to this extent is not a reasonable expectation.

I am a firm supporter of the green initiative, and have been looking into harnessing wind and solar power for my own home. I would propose that this is where the move towards renewable energy begins—in individual homes and businesses. Take those government buildings where all this legislation is taking place, and add solar panels or wind harnessing units to their rooftops. Some areas are now requiring that new homes are built with solar collectors. If wind turbines are a genuine solution to our energy problem, then put them in areas are less habitable, such as the deserts of Arizona or the badlands of New Mexico. I have seen the amazing wind farms near Ripon, California. They are in rocky locations that are virtually uninhabited by people, and have far less effect on the environment.

I feel that Invenergy and other wind turbine companies like them, are taking advantage of our struggling farmers, and buying and/or leasing farms for these giant wind mills because it’s far easier to place them on land that is already cleared, and has easy access. We should all be grateful for groups of concerned citizens in our areas that are raising awareness about the liabilities of these wind turbines. Harnessing the wind can be a good thing if done responsibly. That responsibility includes caring for human health, animal welfare, and our economy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BCCRWE Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy. 2010. Web. 3 April 2010 .

Dru Tecco, Betsy. Wind Power of the Future: New Ways of Turning Wind Into Energy. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. Print.

"Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council." 30 03 2010. Access Washington. Web. 25 April 2010 .

Pierpont, Nina. Wind Turbine Syndrome: A Report on a Natural Experiment. Lowell: King Printing, 2009. Print.

Pinkham, Jim. "Town of Wrightstown calls for moratorium on wind turbines." Wrightstown Area Spirit. Print. 17 April 2010: 1.

Wisconsin Dept. of Administration. "Governor Doyle Calls on State Government to be Clean Energy Leader." 23 04 2010. Office of the Governor Jim Doyle. Web. 26 April 2010 .

Wright, George and Marcus Griswold. "Counterpoint: Claims About the Effectiveness of Wind Power are Exaggerated." 2009. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 13 April 2010 .