We are happy to address any questions raised by community members because we want the community to be well informed. If you have any questions or concerns, please email harvestthewind@redlodge.k12.mt.us.
1.”Infrasound and its effects on human and animals at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (YWS).”
Turbines produce three different types of sounds. The first one is the “swish, swish” of the blades as they pass through the air. The second is the gears turning in the gearbox. The third sound is infrasound, sound waves with frequencies below the threshold of human audibility. This vibration is caused by the blade passing in front of the turbine hub. These are the waves that travel the farthest. The two other sounds that are audible are constant noises. Humans are hardwired to drown out constant noises over time. For example, we are constantly exposed to the sound of Rock Creek, yet it does not bother us. Tim Stephenson, a member of YWS staff, met with the Green Team two weeks ago. He did not have any concerns regarding the health of the animals. He stated that there will be no noise problems at the YWS. At Judith Gap there are a plethora of livestock grazing directly beneath the 400 ft turbines. Credible peer-reviewed scientific data and various government reports in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom refute the claim that wind farms cause negative health impacts on humans. There are indices of nausea and changes in respiration and blood pressure occurring in response to high levels of exposure to low frequency sound. Studies have shown, however, that for these effects to occur, considerably high noise levels (greater than 140 dB, similar in sound level of a jet aircraft heard 80 feet away) are necessary. The highest decibel level produced by our turbine would top at 105dB, much less than the level to cause major health issues.
2. “Blinking shadows”
Oftentimes when the sun hits a wind turbine at certain angles, the light gets refracted creating blinking shadows that can be hard on human eyes. We believe that the prefered location, behind the school near the chicken coop, would mitigate any potential of blinking shadows, specifically in the early morning as the sun is rising. A location on the East Bench would possibly exaggerate these shadows for the town.
3. "Higher frequency noises in a residential area and next to YWS”
The turbine will emit higher frequency noises; however, the ambient noise of the town will block out some of the noise. Typical towns have an ambient noise level of approximately 45dB. At 100m away, our turbine would have a noise level of 50dB or less. At 300m away, the turbine would have a noise level of 40dB. This is below the level of the ambient noise of the town. Therefore, it should be inaudible. In addition, the wind itself will cancel out some of the noise. and the vegetation on the East Bench behind the school and the school itself will absorb more.
4. “Construction of turbine in an old dump site. Construction of school made animals at YWS sick and some died.”
Tim Stephenson, an employee at YWS, stated, “There are no vet, personal, or other documentation confirming this claim. YWS is currently undergoing many construction projects and animal residents have not shown any signs of sickness or distress. YWS staff also works alongside Grizzly Peak Animal Hospital and is certified to give medications to the animals at YWS if elongated stress is present.”
5. “No proper notification of all property owners in vicinity (Cooper Ave did not receive a flyer)…relying on flyer and FB, some part-timers will not know about this. Have they gotten property owners information and notified them via certified mail?”
Homeowners within a one block radius of RLHS received a flyer. This includes the brown town houses at the north end of N. Cooper Avenue, houses along N. Cooper Avenue between E 2nd St. and E 5th St., and all houses along the easternmost blocks of E 5th St. We personally delivered the flyers to each of these residences. We also put flyers up in numerous downtown businesses and the post office. Green Team members spoke on FM99 The Mountain on Wednesday morning prior to Open House. We also utilized our website and Facebook page, “Harvest the Wind”.
6. “Too close to YWS and residential homes”
There is a standard distance of 1.5 times the height of the turbine away from any inhabited buildings. With both of our location options, this buffer zone is observed and the stipulations fulfilled.
7. “Biologist needs to be brought in for YWS and how this will impact them.”
Tim Stephenson with YWS informed us that “All current animal care and education staff at YWS have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Veterinary Technician, and/or Captive Wildlife Care and Education. All animal care staff feel that the construction and noise will not disturb our animals as they are already subjected to louder more abrasive sounds around the sanctuary on a day to day basis.”
8. “Will there be an Environmental Impact Study?”
We are currently not aware that an EIS needs to be conducted. However, we are looking at all of the impacts that would be addressed in an EIS. We are currently analyzing the sound, visual, wildlife, and socio-economic effects of the turbine on our area. We have molded this makeshift EIS into a school project and are talking to professionals about relevant issues every step of the way. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been contacted regarding the migratory birds and eagles that use the area.
9. “This is a 30 year old turbine, reconditioned…old technology? Noisier? Less Efficient?”
The turbine is being decommissioned because EDF is looking into newer technology. However, the turbine being donated is in good condition and is still working. The turbine also has another 20 year of life expectancy. Also, money has been budgeted for replacement parts such as a new gearbox. The turbine will receive yearly maintenance, paid for by the cost savings of the unit. Even if it is less efficient than a newer turbine, as long as it is spinning it will be saving the school money because school funds have not been invested in the turbine itself.
10. “Wind energy only captures 59% of wind. Not efficient enough for the loss of quality of life.”
Fifty-nine percent efficiency is more than enough to save our school a significant amount of money. We have calculated that we could save a minimum of $15,000 annually if the turbine only operated at 30% efficiency with a 65kW hour unit, so by capturing 59% we could be saving $30,000 every year. This is a significant savings for the school district.
11. “Cannot store energy long term? How efficient is this?”
Currently we have no way to store energy. However, we hope to use all of the energy generated.
12 “Poland banning turbines near school”
Please refer to #13 answer.
13. “Due to noise, wind turbines are not suggested within 1 1/8 miles from residences or places of work. Noise sources come from fans, generator, power converter, hydraulic pumps, yaw motors, bearings and blades…keep in mind this is a “reconditioned “ 30 year old turbine.”
In response to concerns #12 and #13, please refer to the below referenced website. In our more progressive country, experts have found that placing the wind turbine a distance of 1.5 times its height (in our case, that would be 120 feet) away from adjacent buildings is more than satisfactory for mitigating the sound and viewshed effects of the turbine. In the U.S., there are many schools with turbines. Take a look at this interactive website: http://apps2.eere.energy.gov/wind/windexchange/schools/projects.asp
14. “Noise and site studies…have they taken terrains, wind direction and atmospheric absorption into consideration? Will sound bounce off the east bench and travel with the wind?”
The sound from the turbine will be mainly blown in a south-westernly direction, judging by the wind that consistently blows from the northeast at RLHS. Some of the sound will then be absorbed by the vegetation that covers the East Bench behind the high school. As wind speed increases, sound will slightly increase, but the noise of the wind will likely cover up the increased noise of the turbine.
15. “Is there a contingency plan? What if this particular turbine is too noisy, what rights do we have?”
If the turbine creates a serious a disturbance and noticeably detracts from our neighbors’ quality of life, we will not hesitate to have it removed. We are willing to work with the community and respond to any issues the town may have with our turbine.
16. “If they get the grant, do they have to move forward, even if we don’t want it?”
If City Council and the Zoning Board approve of our project, then we can move forward with “Harvest the Wind”. If we fail to be approved, the grant would be returned or possibly used in an alternate project.
17. “Have they done statistics on home values within ear/eyeshot of the turbine? The real estate market is already slow, have they considered that this could make it worse?”
The effect a single turbine has on real estate value near it is very minimal. For houses near a significant wind farm, the loss is normally in the range of a loss of -12% to -40%. For homes near a single, small turbine, these negative percentages would be much smaller. The community perception of the wind turbine (e.g. comments on social media, general public opinion) can also drive whether or not the turbine will be beneficial to or detract from property values. If the turbine is viewed positively, then property values may not be negatively affected.
18. “If the city allows a land use plan within the city limits to allow wind turbines 80’ tall (current height regulation for structures is 45’) like the proposed turbine, have they considered that their science project will set a precedence? More turbines allowed within the city limits, more turbines on our beautiful landscape, more turbines making more noise. Have they considered what that will do to their home town?”
Again, we are only looking to put one turbine behind the school. The goal of this project is not to turn Red Lodge into a wind farm. In addition, safety requirements require turbines to be 1.5 times the distance of their height from the nearest building. For a small wind turbine, this is almost 170ft. Most houses in town will not be able to meet this requirement. In addition, the lights at the football field are 70 ft tall, so they already exceed the current height regulation. These lights are only ten feet shorter that the height of the turbine hub.
19. “Have they done statistics on home values in a town that allows wind turbines within the city limits?”
Statistics for our specific situation are hard to find. We are proposing a single, small turbine, instead of an entire wind farm, and not many studies have been conducted for circumstances like ours. However, as stated in the answer to question 15, the negative financial impacts will most likely be slight, if any.
20. “Who will be doing maintenance on the turbine? Will there be a specific class in charge of it? Will there always be funding in the budget specifically for wind turbine maintenance?”
We have already figured money into the budget for maintenance. Part of the savings from the wind turbine would be placed in a sustainability fund. In terms of actual maintenance, the turbine will be serviced annually, and we will use some of our grant money to purchase replacement parts in advance.
21. “Have they done bird migratory studies in our area? Have they considered the eagle pair that flies Rock Creek daily?”
We are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the migratory birds and eagles. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has been very helpful in identifying other species of concern and providing sources to find information. Avoiding a single turbine is much easier for birds than avoiding several hundred in a wind farm.
22. “Have they considered buying a share in a wind farm and getting the energy credit, instead of going ahead with a project that will impact this city for decades to come?”
We have not considered this. One of the goals of this project is the educational benefit this turbine will have on our school. Having a turbine in our backyard will be a priceless educational tool for the students at RLHS. The same effect could never be achieved by buying a share in a wind farm or even getting the energy credit. We hope that this turbine will have a positive impact on this city and that it will help our community think outside the box and provide education on renewable energy.
Sincerely,
Emma Clinton
Fran Graham
Addie Poore
Kate Belinda, RLHS Staff Member