February 25, 2017
In response to the media reports of the February 15, 2017 Community Liaison Committee meeting…
As a participant to filling-out Boralex Observation/Complaint Forms, a reality arises that there is a serious need to work toward a compromise-solution regarding the noise generated by the Port Ryerse wind-farm.
One has to give their head a shake as to why four wind turbines were plunked in the middle of the communities of Avalon, Hay Creek and Port Ryerse. As reported, depending on weather and where one lives, the annoying turbine noise in these communities is constant, loud, with serious and confusing audible phasing in certain areas. Residents are quite upset, as they fought against the Ontario Government and lost, and now they are faced with the frustrations experienced by the day-and-night-time noise.
As reported in the media, there was hate witnessed and expressed toward Boralex, their turbine partners, and the Ontario Government at this meeting. An invasion of any sort can spur hatred, and hatred will eat people up inside. Especially over time!
Hate is a powerful word, but in this case it can hold true, as there is a medical term that can be attributed to this hatred; Misophonia "Hatred of Sound!" Clear test results show that it affects the anterior insula, which physically affects the amygdala, hippocampus, and frontal cortex creating permanent brain changes by an increase in the myelin wrapping of neurons. In other words, (hard wiring) of the brain to the noise which created this condition.
Think what damage can be done to a child's brain, when that child grows-up in the environment of wind turbine noise.
This growing psychosis within our communities was created firstly, by those who dreamed of a financial coup by offering up their land to wind turbines. Secondly by a government that took away the voice of the people in order to obtain their objective by implementing the now “halted” Green Energy Act, and thirdly by a company which capitalized on the opportunities presented.
After 500 people had signed a petition, and fought for five years at the Tribunals against the proposal, the communities are now left only with the noise invasion and the reduction in property values.
What SOLUTIONS can be achieved to reduce the noise? Start monitoring right now, when the leaves are off the trees. Not later. Return the voice of the people to our municipal government, by partnering municipal support with concerned residents in an independent monitoring study with clear lines-of-sight to receptors in order to refute, or agree with government findings. The objectives would be to reduce noise to levels agreed upon by the community rate-payers and to enforce the municipal noise bylaws by trimming the pitch of the turbine blades to lessen their impact against the wind, thus reducing the levels of noise and hate. The Provincial Government would then compensate Boralex for their financial loss in energy production, as found in… (Hansard page G-518, last paragraph) “The study found problems and the closest turbine at 456m shut down permanently, the next nearest turbine at 700m, along with three others now run at low rpm so that they’re not emitting as much noise, and then they shut them down at night”.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources the Port Ryerse Wind Farm is allowed to kill 2 Raptors in one year and no more than 10 bats per turbine in the same year before adjustments to slow down the turbines would ever take place. Another plus for trimming the pitch on the turbines is that it would provide a measure of safety for the immature Bald Eagles within the wind farm if we act soon enough! One Bald Eagle killed will destroy the chances of future successful nestings!!
RW Goodlet
Cc. MPP Toby Barrett
Port Ryerse
Mayor of Norfolk County Charlie Luke
Canadian Raptor Conservancy James Cowan
Community Liaison Committee Chris VanPassen
As methods in reducing audible wind turbine noise can be achieved, it is important that government and the wind power industry regard seriously, and listen to all health issues that may relate to audible wind turbine noise, and that local government mediate on behalf of affected constituents who are seeking solutions through compromise.