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There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings
surrounding wind turbines which tend to detract from a serious debate
about how best to use the benefits they offer.
On the one hand are people who quite legitimately
object to even seeing them but then employ a pseudo-science to bolster
their point of view and on the other hand we have those who are ecstatic
about them and would dearly love to see them everywhere and deny any
repercussions of their presence. In between are rapacious developers who
see wind farms as part of a portfolio of profit-making exercises.
It is possible to look at the facts, as they currently
stand, and remove the emotional bias of all sides to gain the maximum
potential of this renewable energy source. A lot of things are claimed
for both sides, neither of which are wholly true.
Let's look at some of the issues surrounding wind
energy.
Turbines are noisy
Wind turbines, like any other mechanical device, make noise but they
are not noisy. There are strict guidelines in force which protect
residential amenities and careful studies need to be shown for every
site, prior to erection, that the predicted sound level will not be
raised above certain thresholds. These studies are required for
evaluating all sound-emitting devices in the vicinity of residents not
just wind turbines. It is possible to stand underneath a large turbine
and hold a normal conversation. The sound sources for turbines are from
aerodynamic and mechanical sources and vary between sites and between
turbine types. Some projects in the past had been guilty of
installing turbines without due regard to their sound impact and
developers had failed to take a duty of care towards residents. In
addition, early turbine designs certainly emitted more noise than modern
machines and their location on the tower gave an extra noise due to
interaction of the air-flow with the tower. Modern designs have
over-come these issues and with careful consideration these issues can
be avoided. The turbines at Norton will be around 900m away from the
nearest residency and a specialist consultant will be helping to ensure
that there is no adverse impact. Origin will be modifying the locations
of the turbines to minimise any predicted impact.
More information about the basic facts on turbine noise can be
downloaded here. More information on low
frequency noise can be downloaded here.
Details of the standards by which noise is assessed from wind projects
in the UK (ETSU-R-97 & PPS22) can be found
here and here.
Wind turbines make people sick
Towards the end of 2009 a few high-profile media
articles were published in response to the pre-publication of a book titled
Wind Turbine Syndrome
The central premise of the
book is that wind turbines generate infrasound that directly causes a range of
physical sensations (e.g. tinnitus, headaches etc.) and effects (e.g.
sleeplessness, anxiety etc). The book was written by a Dr Pierpont after a
study on 10 people in New York, USA. It has been professionally
criticised by many scientists for its lack of scientific rigour yet it
continues to be used by wind energy protestors as a case against using
wind turbines. A report by three other scientists on the lack of truth
in this publication can be read here.
Wind turbines have an adverse effect on property prices
This is a common misunderstanding about wind turbines and one which
you will frequently hear. Evidence has shown that this is not true. You
can download a
summary sheet which gives more information on this topic and several
other myths. It may even be possible that membership of a community
turbine company which stays with the property might have a beneficial
effect on the value of a property. In this regard, please have a look at
recommended guidelines on
what developers should give to local communities and you will be able to
compare Origin's offer to Norton.
Replies to recent protest leaflets being distributed in Norton.
Members of the community company have drawn our attention to leaflets
being distributed around Norton Parish by people campaigning against the
turbines and the community effort. The authors of the leaflet are not
given but Origin have had contact with some of the people behind the
protest for some time and they have ignored attempts to enter a dialogue
with us. Origin have sent them a lot of information in good faith during
the last community consultations, which they used against us. They make
many accusations in the leaflet which are blatantly untrue and which
they know to be untrue. The leaflet does not raise genuine concerns but
merely scare-mongers local people. Some of these untruths, taken in
order, are:
- That Origin made a statement that "large wind turbines are
likely to have a significant impact within an area of green belt".
Not true, Origin have never made this statement. A
full impact study is currently being undertaken and the size of the
impact will be assessed properly.
- That Origin plan further turbines other than the two proposed.
Not true, Origin will propose only two sites for
Norton Parish in conjunction with community consultation.
- That people would be in physical danger from the turbines.
Not true, the turbines will simply not be allowed
to be built if they had this type of risk. They will not be built
within a safe distance from any footpaths or highways.
- That the turbines would pose an unspecified health and safety
risk to Campsmount School. Not true. This is quite
cheap scare-mongering - hiding behind children. One turbine is
proposed at a distance of around 1 km from the school. To make this
kind of accusation is quite irresponsible.
- That wild-life would be endangered. Not true,
Origin need to present a detailed assessment of this impact and have
employed chartered ecologists to study the wild-life using on-site
observations with careful and studied consideration. RSPB, BTO,
regional bat groups and badger groups have been consulted as part of
a long study.
- That wind turbines are not an effective source of renewable
energy. Not true. Besides articles in the Daily
Mail other, more authentic sources, show that wind energy does play
a growing part of the UK's move towards a more environmentally
friendly energy generation strategy. We are way behind other
European countries but perhaps this gives us a chance to do things
differently. Subsidies are given to the the renewable energy
industry to put them on an equal footing with other subsidised
energy industries, most notably nuclear energy. The same will also
be done with renewable heat. All this is aimed at moving the UK from
energy sources which are either damaging our environmental future or
are outside our national control. Origin will be making sure that
communities get the full benefit of this subsidy.
- That people's property values would be adversely affected. Not true. This is just wild speculation and not
based on credible survey work. The possibility exists that values
might increase across the town if the property owners are part of a
community regeneration company.
- That Origin have not made a considered community consultation.
Not true. Every household and business in the
Parish were sent a detailed pack showing how the scheme would work.
What we have found that not everyone opened them! With the problem
of the amount of junk email we all receive this is very
understandable and Origin have always made it clear that any
household can join at any time. Lancaster University helped with
that first opinion gathering exercise and around 80% of those that
responded were in favour of the scheme. In addition, the online
forum allowed residents to ask questions, get assurances from and
make suggestions to Origin. The fair-handedness of Origin's
democratic approach has been praised by central government planning
teams who have looked at what the people of Norton have so far
achieved.
- That the households closest to the proposal have not received
any information. Not true. In addition to being
sent details through the postal service, these particular properties
were given additional material by supporters of the scheme directly
through their doors by hand. Origin have emailed them detailed
financial information in good faith (which they quote on their
leaflet!) so they cannot claim, as they try, that they have received
no information. Origin have tried to arrange specific meetings (27th
of March) in which these residents would be allowed to take part in
the micro-siting of the turbine locations alongside specialist
consultants. The purpose of the meeting and its venue have been
changed by the group. Origin have asked that the original meeting be
rescheduled but no response has been received to date.
- That there would be no community benefit. Not true.
This is a real chance to use renewable energy for the benefit of the
community. Look at what Origin are proposing to return to Norton
Parish and compare that to the figures a normal wind developer would
be-grudgingly offer. Origin are offering over 30 times more than
other schemes. Origin are about community regeneration through
investment from the sale of renewable energy. This will require
participation from members of the new community company. Origin will
be contracted to the Norton Energy Community to provide the profits
they say they will. As part of the planning submission, Origin will
try to gauge the economic impact of such a large local investment.
The leaflet actually suggests that investment in the local
community would not bring any benefits. This is not an
unbiased view and people can see for themselves the real reason for
opposing the offer.
- That there is a national mass of opinion against "such
projects". Not true. The offer being made is quite
unique and therefore not a subject of mass opinion. National
objections to wind projects generally are orchestrated by a
privileged and vocal minority who have secured a level of wealth and
security for themselves and refuse to share it. They put out a lot
of mis-information to try to discredit efforts to make a better
world. The list of web-links given in the leaflet are such
organisations. The leaflet also quotes The Renewable Energy
Foundation who are a very biased organisation. They have made many
attempts to discredit wind energy and their publications have been
roundly denounced by reasonable researchers and scientists. A lot of
wind projects are objectionable and Origin would certainly disagree
with profiteering in this precarious energy situation we have made
for ourselves. That is why we believe in the method we are using -
power to communities. It is worth noting that the significance of
letting communities make their own decisions is getting more
prominence. This should include renewable energy.
- Some photomontages are shown in the leaflet. Please be
warned that these are not verified pictures and do not reflect the
actual view of the turbines or what they might look like. The author
of the montages is not given. Again its is pure scare-mongering.
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