Noise Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Waterloo Wind Farm

Kristy Hansen, Branko Zajamsek and Colin Hansen, School of Mechanical Engineering
University of Adelaide May 26, 2014

This report by the above authors describes the results of their concurrent full spectrum acoustic monitoring conducted at a number of homes located between 2 km out to nearly 10km from the Waterloo Wind Development. This monitoring was independent of the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (SA EPA) and was requested by Mrs Mary Morris and other concerned residents in the Waterloo district. The monitoring occurred during the period of the South Australian EPA Acoustic Survey, conducted in mid 2013.

The results in this independent survey as well as the conclusions are in marked contrast to the results and conclusions of the SA EPA Acoustic Survey report, and reinforce the Waubra Foundation’s opinion expressed at the time the initial SA EPA report was released that there were serious problems with the methodology used by the SA EPA in its acoustic survey at Waterloo. This report provides further evidence that the current SA EPA Wind Farm Noise Guidelines do not protect the health and sleep of the neighbours to these wind developments, out to nearly 10km from the closest wind turbine, because they do not regulate the acoustic emissions to protect health, and most importantly, the sleep of the neighbours.

Emeritus Professor Colin Hansen has advised that he sent the report to the EPA, requesting their comment. To date, three months later (19th August, 2014) no comment or feedback has been received by the Adelaide University researchers from the SA EPA responsible public officials.

Extract from the Conclusions:

“Therefore, the results show that there is a low frequency noise problem associated with the Waterloo wind farm. Therefore, it is extremely important that further investigation is carried out at this wind farm in order to determine the source of the low frequency noise and to develop mitigation technologies. In addition, further research is necessary to establish the long‐term effects of low frequency noise and infrasound on the residents at Waterloo. This research should include health monitoring and sleep studies with simultaneous noise and vibration measurements.”

Key Extracts from the report are reproduced below, and the report is downloadable from the link beneath.

Waubra foundation

We are the Therriens of Sheffield. Many already know our story. Yes, we live near the interstate. The interstate is quiet at night unlike the wind turbines that make noise 24/7 more often than not. The interstate does not make a repetitive noise that wakes you then keeps you awake, night after night.

From proposal to construction we did not oppose the Wind Project. Not until the project began operating, only when we experienced the noise firsthand, did we begin to understand and wonder just what we were facing. About six months in we realized the project is impacting us. We started connecting the sounds with how we feel. Hardly believed it was true until we started reading up on wind turbine syndrome. The same symptoms are echoed world wide!

Facts about wind turbine noise and health have been known a long time and totally ignored by our government. Our elected people in charge of protecting the public have chosen to blindly believe big wind developers while turning a deaf ear to towns and residents impacted by industrial power plants.

Health studies should have been done before big wind turbines were put close to people. Instead we get literature reviews done by people with financial ties to the wind industry who claim there are no “direct” health effects. Also it has been spread far and wide that anyone opposing clean green energy (laugh) is a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) or that people are only seeking financial gain by falsely claiming to being negatively impacted. Positive outcome studies are funded by Industrial Wind and they hand pick their experts.

The non-positive studies are done by honest hard working individuals facing public persecution and possibly the loss of their jobs if they go public with their negative findings. Just ask Dr. Henrik Møller of Denmark, a highly respected academic noise researcher fired after exposing the Danish government’s role in covering up health risks caused by wind turbine noise pollution. Kind of says a lot right there doesn’t it?

Problems have arisen, yet they are still largely ignored because no one knows how to solve any problems pertaining to industrial wind power plants.

The Public Service Board held workshops to try and hear both sides of the story. You would be led to believe that both sides would be given equal time to be heard. No, not true. We will never participate in another unless it is to protest. It is that much of an insult.

Three years into this nightmare and we are no closer to a resolution than we were on day one. We asked First Wind to buy us out for $150,000. This prompted a meeting where we were told of a possible option to buy our house and only two of our 50 acres for $45,000, but it was not an official offer. We expected to be low-balled but not to this extreme. and they wanted us to sign a nondisclosure for this pittance!

Wind developers are well schooled in the art of approaching a town, promising that the project will cause no harm — while quietly buying/paying off select home/land owners

It is long past time for First Wind to buy us out so we can protect our children. $150,000 and no gag order and we will move on with our lives.

Luann Therrien lives in Sheffield.

Burlington Free Press, Luann Therrien September 21, 2014

*LONDON: The stay application will be heard on Monday starting at 10:00am and will be heard in Courtroom 20 on the 14th floor.

Just FYI although the address is 80 Dundas Street, the entrance is on Queens Avenue.

Protest outside of Courtroom in London on Sept. 22nd before the hearing. Hearing starts at 10:00, aim for 9:00am for protest!

 

 

The first court phase of a legal fight aimed at scuttling what would be one of Ontario’s largest wind-energy developments kicks off Monday with a farm family trying to force an immediate stop to its construction.

Documents filed in support of their request show Shawn and Tricia Drennan are concerned about the potential harm the 140-turbine K2 Wind project near Goderich, Ont., could cause them.

The Drennans are asking Divisional Court for an injunction against the ongoing construction of the facility pending resolution of an appeal against the project. They note Health Canada is currently doing a study to understand the impact industrial wind projects have on nearby residents.

“In effect, our government has relegated the appellants to guinea pigs in the name of green energy,” their factum states.

“The fear and anxiety with being a guinea pig is only further heightened by the knowledge that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has placed a moratorium on off-shore wind turbines because the environmental impact on the fish is not known.”

Joining them in the construction stay application filed in London, Ont., are the Dixon and Ryan families, who are fighting the 15-turbine St. Columban wind project near Seaforth, Ont. The Dixons argue construction noise will hurt their eight-year-old daughter, who suffers from hearing hypersensitivity.

read more: COLIN PERKEL TORONTO — The Canadian Press Published Sunday, Sep. 21 2014,

MAWT Inc.  is again hard at work educating the Public and Raising money to go towards West Lincoln’s Legal Fund in the fight against the NRWC wind project.  

They will be at the Wainfleet Fair today again, Sat. Sept 20, so you still have time to get your ticket(s).  The draw for the raffle is Sat. Sept 20 at 2 pm.  The top prize now exceeds $600 (12% of the intake).

 Lots of good events Saturday – Ironman Farmer Contest, Horse Show, Pet Show, Wainfleet Idol and more.  

So gather up the kid and head out to the Wainfleet Fair and don’t forget to drop by and say hi to MAWT Inc. 

Thank You and Good Luck to Everyone who bought up Raffle Tickets!!

Monday, September, 15, The Sachem & Glanbrook Gazette

Former mayor, Marie Trainer runs for Ward 1

“I don’t know who allowed [the poles] to be put in the middle of the ditches on either side of the road,” she said, adding that she feels “it’s an accident waiting to happen” and it also creates drainage issues.

The Poles she is speaking about are on Regional Road 20 , road to Hagersville.   The Samsung/Pattern Energy  “Grand Renewable Wind/Solar” project has 21km of 230 KV transmission lines from their substation that connects to the grid (point of interconnection)  just outside the town of Hagersville.

It is as bad or more as it looks and the potential for accidents has been pointed out many times in communities across Rural Ontario.

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Ask the Questions and Share Their Answers.  Let’s Elect A Mayor and Councillors

That Are Going To Stand Along Side The Residents

As We Continue to Fight the proposed NRWC Turbines.

MAYOR (One to be Elected)

1. John Glazier

905-957-2328

10 Anderson Cr,  Smithville, ON, L0R 2A0

email: johnglazier4mayor@gmail.com

2. Douglas Joyner

905-957-4926

44 Las Road, Smithville, Ontario., L0R 2A0

email: djoyner2014election@hotmail.com

3. Stefanos Karatopis

email: stefanos.karatopis@gmail.com

4. Paul Keizer

905-928-2599

2391 Allen Rd, Caistor Centre, ON, L0R 1E0

email:paulkeizerformayor@gmail.com

5. Katie Trombetta

905-515-7564

8915 Sixteen Road, Caistor Centre, ON, L0R 1E0

email: trombetta@gmail.com

Official-List-of-All-Certified-Candidates-for-2014-election-September-17-2014

Attached is a cover letter and Notice of Preliminary Hearing and Hearing from Environment and Land Tribunals Ontario

Notice of Preliminary Hearing and Hearing.14063

Cover Letter.14063

 

 Uniting the Fight!

This court battle is for all of us.

Monday September 22^nd 2014, starting at 0930

Where: London Ontario

IMPORTANT REASON TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT IN LONDON – Sept. 22

Come by 9:30 a.m. Bring lots of friends….and signs!

As per the Press Release, the SWEAR/HEAT Stay Court Proceeding with Julian Falconer and team was scheduled for Monday, September 22nd and Tuesday, September 23rd in London.

We have been advised that it will be a one day Hearing – Monday, September 22, 2014.

The proceeding starts at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

We are hoping that lots of people will come out and show their support by peacefully protesting outside the courthouse and respectfully attending inside the court room.

Your attendance is needed and would be so greatly appreciated.

The location for the Stay Hearing is as follows:

London Courthouse
80 Dundas Street
London, ON
N6A 6B3

The full Divisional Court Hearing will be held November 17-18-19. The location for this Hearing has not been set as of this date. We will let you know when the location has been confirmed.

Please feel free to circulate this email to others who share our concerns.

Let’s pull together.

For more information on the court proceedings you can go to:

www.falconers.ca

Directions for Service of Notice of Preliminary Hearing & Hearing

County of Lambton v. MOE – Dates and direction on how to participate.

Notice of Prelim & Hearing.14065

Owners letter.14065