DOCSLIB.ORG

Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of an Eagle Take Permit for the Sterling Wind Project

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of an Eagle Take Permit for the Sterling Wind Project ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AN EAGLE TAKE PERMIT FOR THE STERLING WIND PROJECT Prepared for U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Region 2 U.S. Department of Interior Prepared by HAWKPOINT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, LLC 4508 Sunset Canyon PL NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111 Telephone: (505) 449-7918 November 29, 2018 This document is a working draft. We anticipate it will evolve and improve over the course of applying it to tier from the PEIS. Accordingly, the contents of these instructions should not be viewed as binding or official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy. Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of an Eagle Take Permit for the Sterling Wind Project TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 2 PURPOSE AND NEED ..................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Authorities .................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Background .................................................................................................................. 2 2.3 Scoping, Consulting, and Coordination ....................................................................... 4 2.4 Tribal Coordination ...................................................................................................... 5 3 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ............................................................ 6 3.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Alternative 1: No Action .............................................................................................. 6 3.3 Other Alternatives Considered but not Evaluated in this Environmental Assessment 7 3.3.1 Alternative 2: Deny Permit ................................................................................... 7 4 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................ 7 4.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................. 8 4.2 Bald Eagle .................................................................................................................... 8 4.3 Golden Eagle ................................................................................................................ 9 4.4 Migratory Birds .......................................................................................................... 10 4.5 Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act .................................................... 12 4.6 Cultural and Socio-economic Interests ...................................................................... 12 4.7 Climate Change .......................................................................................................... 12 5 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES..................................................................... 12 5.1 Bald Eagle .................................................................................................................. 13 5.2 Golden Eagle .............................................................................................................. 13 5.2.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 13 5.2.2 Alternative 1 : No Action .................................................................................... 15 5.2.3 Comparison of Effects of Each Alternative ........................................................ 15 5.3 Migratory Birds .......................................................................................................... 16 5.4 Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act .................................................... 17 5.5 Cultural and Socio-economic Interests ...................................................................... 17 5.6 Climate Change .......................................................................................................... 17 6 EVALUATION OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS .......................................................... 17 6.1 Bald Eagle .................................................................................................................. 18 6.2 Golden Eagle .............................................................................................................. 18 6.3 Migratory Birds .......................................................................................................... 20 6.4 Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act .................................................... 20 6.5 Cultural and Socio-Economic Interests ...................................................................... 21 6.6 Climate Change .......................................................................................................... 21 7 MITIGATION AND MONITORING ........................................................................... 21 8 LIST OF PREPARERS .................................................................................................. 23 9 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 24 i Hawkpoint Environmental Consulting November 2018 Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of an Eagle Take Permit for the Sterling Wind Project LIST OF TABLES Table 5.1 Summary and Comparison of Effects of Each Alternative................................15 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Sterling Wind Project Location Map...................................................................3 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy for the Sterling Wind Project Appendix B Eagle Conservation Plan for the Sterling Wind Project Appendix C Sterling Wind Retrofitting Plan for the Sterling Wind Project Appendix D Example 2016 Tribal Correspondence Letter and Responses ii Hawkpoint Environmental Consulting November 2018 Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of an Eagle Take Permit for the Sterling Wind Project LIST OF ACRONYMS AEM AEM Wind, LLC APLIC Avian Power Line Interaction Committee BBCS Bird Bat Conservation Strategy BCR Bird Conservation Region dBA A-weighted-decibel DDT Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane EA Environmental Assessment ECP Eagle Conservation Plan EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMU Eagle Management Unit ESA Endangered Species Act GPS Global Positioning System ha Hectare ITP Incidental Take Permit km Kilometer kV Kilovolt LAP Local Area Population LCEC Lea County Electric Cooperative m Meter MW Megawatt NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NMDGF New Mexico Department of Game and Fish PEIS Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service iii Hawkpoint Environmental Consulting November 2018 Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of an Eagle Take Permit for the Sterling Wind Project 1 INTRODUCTION This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issuing a 30-year incidental take permit (ITP) for golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) associated with the operation of the Sterling Wind Project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] §§ 4321–4347). Issuance of an ITP by the USFWS for take that is incidental to otherwise lawful activities under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act) (16 U.S.C. §§ 668–668d and 50 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] § 22.26) constitutes a discretionary Federal action that is subject to NEPA. This EA assists the USFWS in ensuring compliance with the NEPA, and in deciding as to whether any “significant” impacts could result from the analyzed actions that would require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EA evaluates the effects of alternatives for our decision whether to issue an eagle ITP. The Eagle Act authorizes the USFWS to issue ITPs only when the take is compatible with the preservation of each eagle species, defined (in USFWS 2016a) as “consistent with the goals of maintaining stable or increasing breeding populations in all eagle management units (EMU) and the persistence of local populations throughout the geographic range of each species.” The applicant, AEM Wind, LLC (AEM), is requesting Eagle Act take coverage for operation activities associated with the Sterling Wind Project (Project). This company is an affiliate of Akuo Energy USA (Akuo Energy). The applicant has requested a 30-year ITP for golden eagles under the Eagle Act at the Sterling Wind Project located in Tatum, New Mexico. The applicant’s Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP) (Appendix B) is the foundation of the permit application for the Project. The applicant is requesting a permit for the take of five eagles over the 30-year life of the Project. This EA evaluates whether issuance of the eagle ITP will have significant impacts on the existing human environment. “Significance” under NEPA is defined by regulation at 40 CFR 1508.27, and requires short- and long-term consideration of both the context of a proposal and its intensity. This proposal conforms with, and carries out, the management approach analyzed in, and adopted subsequent to, the USFWS’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Eagle Rule Revision, December 2016 (USFWS 2016a).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1St and 2Nd Reports of the Advisory C
    Conference – Michigan’s Future – Energy, Economy, Environment November 1-3, 2013, Thompsonville, Michigan, http://www.futuremichigan.org/ Friday, November 1 Foss, Nicole & Boomert, Laurence - A Century of Challenges International experts Foss (Canada) and Boomert (NZ) describe unprecedented challenges the 21st century brings and appropriate responses. Climate change, natural resource depletion and fragile economic systems present a very different future. We can either be reactive or proactive. The new system conditions mandate personal and societal responses beyond those of the 20th century. Foss is Senior Editor of The Automatic Earth, and international speaker on global finance, energy and environmental issues. Boomert has a long history in contingency planning, green business development and community solutions. In the early 1990s, he founded the 500 member Environmental Business Network. He currently runs the Bank of Real Solutions. Nicole discussed cycles of boom and bust through time as purchasing power stimulates demand, activity and credit (inflation), limits are reached and contraction or deflation then begins as promises are broken, liquidity crunches and economics depression begins. Inflation results as a result of currency inflation cuts and more money is printed or credit expansion, excess claims. In our future, liquidity will be more important as values of assets and consumer prices fall and value of cash rises. Liquidity represents uncommitted choices, preserves freedom of action. During a contraction phase (contagion), prices fall but purchasing power falls faster, unemployment and taxes rise. Affordability becomes the issue. De-globalization expected, local circumstances will matter much more, international and national institutions will become stranded assets from trust perspective. Exploding demand calls for local, community, pooling of resources, social capital and self-sufficiency.
    [Show full text]
  • Wind Powering America FY07 Activities Summary
    Wind Powering America FY07 Activities Summary Dear Wind Powering America Colleague, We are pleased to present the Wind Powering America FY07 Activities Summary, which reflects the accomplishments of our state Wind Working Groups, our programs at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and our partner organizations. The national WPA team remains a leading force for moving wind energy forward in the United States. At the beginning of 2007, there were more than 11,500 megawatts (MW) of wind power installed across the United States, with an additional 4,000 MW projected in both 2007 and 2008. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates that the U.S. installed capacity will exceed 16,000 MW by the end of 2007. When our partnership was launched in 2000, there were 2,500 MW of installed wind capacity in the United States. At that time, only four states had more than 100 MW of installed wind capacity. Seventeen states now have more than 100 MW installed. We anticipate five to six additional states will join the 100-MW club early in 2008, and by the end of the decade, more than 30 states will have passed the 100-MW milestone. WPA celebrates the 100-MW milestones because the first 100 megawatts are always the most difficult and lead to significant experience, recognition of the wind energy’s benefits, and expansion of the vision of a more economically and environmentally secure and sustainable future. WPA continues to work with its national, regional, and state partners to communicate the opportunities and benefits of wind energy to a diverse set of stakeholders.
    [Show full text]
  • Bridge Duel Continues Between State, Moroun
    20090202-NEWS--0001-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 1/30/2009 6:04 PM Page 1 ® www.crainsdetroit.com Vol. 25, No. 5 FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2009 $2 a copy; $59 a year ©Entire contents copyright 2009 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved Inside State’s UI debt could Bridge duel continues mean higher taxes, Page 3 between state, Moroun Government gives nod for Rehab agency on the road both spans to fiscal recovery, NATHAN SKID/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS BY BILL SHEA Page 3 Christos Moisides (left) and Michael CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Sinanis of 23rd Street Studios have a studio site at 23rd and Michigan. The high-stakes standoff be- This Just In tween Manuel Moroun and an international coalition of gov- ernments continues as both Comerica economist: make incremental progress to- Recession is widening Motown ward competing billion-dollar Detroit River crossings. Dana Johnson, the chief The situation got fresh impe- economist for Comerica Bank, tus in recent weeks, thanks to a NATHAN SKID/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS said the current recession is movies pair of U.S. Department of Trans- Matthew Moroun, vice president of the Detroit International Bridge Co., stands in front of construction of the new bridge span, which will run next to the almost certain to become the portation approvals for the si- current bridge. longest since the 16-month multaneous bridge projects — downturns of 1973 and 1981, 2 groups shooting which include Michigan jointly four-lane structure. tion of infrastructure work on a which would make it the funding infrastructure at one Moroun’s Detroit International new highway interchange serving longest since the Great De- while seeking to build the other Bridge Co.
    [Show full text]
  • Wind Powering America Fy08 Activities Summary
    WIND POWERING AMERICA FY08 ACTIVITIES SUMMARY Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Dear Wind Powering America Colleague, We are pleased to present the Wind Powering America FY08 Activities Summary, which reflects the accomplishments of our state Wind Working Groups, our programs at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and our partner organizations. The national WPA team remains a leading force for moving wind energy forward in the United States. At the beginning of 2008, there were more than 16,500 megawatts (MW) of wind power installed across the United States, with an additional 7,000 MW projected by year end, bringing the U.S. installed capacity to more than 23,000 MW by the end of 2008. When our partnership was launched in 2000, there were 2,500 MW of installed wind capacity in the United States. At that time, only four states had more than 100 MW of installed wind capacity. Twenty-two states now have more than 100 MW installed, compared to 17 at the end of 2007. We anticipate that four or five additional states will join the 100-MW club in 2009, and by the end of the decade, more than 30 states will have passed the 100-MW milestone. WPA celebrates the 100-MW milestones because the first 100 megawatts are always the most difficult and lead to significant experience, recognition of the wind energy’s benefits, and expansion of the vision of a more economically and environmentally secure and sustainable future. Of course, the 20% Wind Energy by 2030 report (developed by AWEA, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and other stakeholders) indicates that 44 states may be in the 100-MW club by 2030, and 33 states will have more than 1,000 MW installed (at the end of 2008, there were six states in that category).
    [Show full text]
  • Jacobson and Delucchi (2009) Electricity Transport Heat/Cool 100% WWS All New Energy: 2030
    Energy Policy 39 (2011) 1154–1169 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Energy Policy journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/enpol Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part I: Technologies, energy resources, quantities and areas of infrastructure, and materials Mark Z. Jacobson a,n, Mark A. Delucchi b,1 a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA b Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA article info abstract Article history: Climate change, pollution, and energy insecurity are among the greatest problems of our time. Addressing Received 3 September 2010 them requires major changes in our energy infrastructure. Here, we analyze the feasibility of providing Accepted 22 November 2010 worldwide energy for all purposes (electric power, transportation, heating/cooling, etc.) from wind, Available online 30 December 2010 water, and sunlight (WWS). In Part I, we discuss WWS energy system characteristics, current and future Keywords: energy demand, availability of WWS resources, numbers of WWS devices, and area and material Wind power requirements. In Part II, we address variability, economics, and policy of WWS energy. We estimate that Solar power 3,800,000 5 MW wind turbines, 49,000 300 MW concentrated solar plants, 40,000 300 MW solar Water power PV power plants, 1.7 billion 3 kW rooftop PV systems, 5350 100 MW geothermal power plants, 270 new 1300 MW hydroelectric power plants, 720,000 0.75 MW wave devices, and 490,000 1 MW tidal turbines can power a 2030 WWS world that uses electricity and electrolytic hydrogen for all purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • GWEC – Global Wind Report | Annual Market Update 2014
    GLOBAL WIND REPORT ANNUAL MARKET UPDATE 2014 Navigating the global wind power market The Global Wind Energy Council is the international trade association for the wind power industry – communicating the benefits of wind power to national governments, policy makers and international institutions. GWEC provides authoritative research and analysis on the wind power industry in more than 80 countries around the world. Keep up to date with the most recent market insights: Global Wind Statistics 2014 February 2015 Global Wind Report 2014 March 2015 Global Wind Energy Outlook 2014 October 2014 Offshore Wind Policy and Market Assessment – A Global Outlook February 2015 Our mission is to ensure that wind power establishes itself as the answer to today‘s energy challenges, providing substantial venvironmental and economic benefits. GWEC represents the industry with or at the UNFCCC, the IEA, international financial institutions, the IPCC and IRENA. GWEC – opening up the frontiers follow us on TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword. 4 Making the Commitment to Renewable Energy. 5 Global Status of Wind Power in 2014 . 6 Market Forecast for 2015 – 2019. 16 Green bonds offer exciting opportunities for the wind sector . .22 Emerging Africa . .26 Australia . .30 Brazil . 32 Canada. .34 Chile . .36 PR China . .38 Denmark . .42 The European Union . .44 France . .46 Germany. .48 Global offshore . 52 India . .58 Italy . .60 Japan . .62 Mexico . .64 Poland . .66 South Africa . .68 Sweden . 70 Turkey . 72 United Kingdom. 74 United States . 76 About GWEC . 78 GWEC – Global Wind 2014 Report 3 FOREWORD 014 was a great year for the wind industry, setting a The two big stories in 2014 and going forward continue 2new record of more than 51 GW installed in a single to be the precipitous drop in the price of oil, and growing year, bringing the global total close to 370 GW.
    [Show full text]
  • Michigan Wind Vision
    A WIND VISION FOR NEW GROWTH IN MICHIGAN New research shows how expanding wind energy will benefit state economy A New Era for Wind Power in the United States wind energy under the Wind Vision U.S. Department of Energy scenario would result in Michigan Wind Vision report shows landowners receiving over $4.71 million dollars in annual payments potential benefits for Michigan by 2020, increasing to over $7.65 with continued expansion of million dollars annually by 2030. wind power in the state. Michigan farmers and A definitive new report recently families stand to benefit from released by the U.S. Department of significant freshwater savings Energy (DOE) shows huge potential and cleaner air by harvesting for wind power in Michigan and even more electricity from wind ENOUGH ELECTRICITY throughout the United States. The energy. DOE’s “Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States” Continuing to grow Michigan-made wind power offers tremendous water TO POWER finds wind energy could grow from supplying over 3.66% of the conservation and clean air benefits electricity generated in Michigan as well. Meeting the Wind Vision today to 4.8% by 2020 and more scenario would result in more than than 6.8% by 2030 – producing 616.33 million gallons of annual $ electricity for the equivalent of water savings by 2020, and by 2030 710,000 average American homes.* those savings grow to over 4.4 11.6 billion gallons a year. Generations Achieving the Wind Vision in of Michigan families also stand to Michigan would provide the state benefit from added clean air benefits with numerous benefits, including by harvesting more of the state’s MILLION electricity from wind energy.
    [Show full text]
  • WIND ENERGY Renewable Energy and the Environment
    WIND ENERGY Renewable Energy and the Environment © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC WIND ENERGY Renewable Energy and the Environment VaughnVaughn NelsonNelson CRC Press Taylor Si Francis Group BocaBoca RatonRaton LondonLondon NewNewYor Yorkk CRCCRC PressPress isis an an imprintimprint ofof thethe TaylorTaylor && FrancisFrancis Group,Group, anan informa informa businessbusiness © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group 6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300 Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742 © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business No claim to original U.S. Government works Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number-13: 978-1-4200-7568-7 (Hardcover) This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and publisher cannot assume responsibility for the valid- ity of all materials or the consequences of their use. The authors and publishers have attempted to trace the copyright holders of all material reproduced in this publication and apologize to copyright holders if permission to publish in this form has not been obtained. If any copyright material has not been acknowledged please write and let us know so we may rectify in any future reprint. Except as permitted under U.S. Copyright Law, no part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or uti- lized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopy- ing, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Impact of the Pleasant Ridge Wind Energy Project
    PLEASANT RIDGE EXHIBIT 115 Economic Impact of the Pleasant Ridge Wind Energy Project October 2013 David G. Loomis, Ph.D. 2705 Kolby Court Bloomington, IL 61704 309-242-4690 Dr. David G. Loomis is About the Professor of Economics at Illinois State University and Director Author of the Center for Renewable Energy. He has over 10 years experience in the wind industry and has performed economic analyses at the county, region, state and national levels for both wind farms and the wind turbine supply chain. He has served as a consultant for the State of Illinois, Illinois Finance Authority, Illinois State Energy Office, Invenergy, Clean Line Energy Partners, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Geronimo Energy and others. He has testified on the economic impacts of wind energy before the Illinois Senate Energy and Environment Committee and the LaSalle and Livingston County Boards in Illinois. Dr. Loomis is a widely recognized expert and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Associated Press, and Chicago Tribune as well as appearing on CNN. Dr. Loomis has published over 15 peer-reviewed articles in leading energy policy and economics journals. He has raised and managed over $5 million in grant and contracts from government, corporate and foundation sources. He received the 2011 Department of Energy’s Midwestern Regional Wind Advocacy Award and the 2006 Best Wind Working Group Award. Dr. Loomis received his Ph.D. in economics from Temple University in 1995. I. Executive Summary of Findings .................................................................. 1 Table of II. U.S. Wind Industry Growth and Economic Development....................... 2 Contents a.
    [Show full text]
  • Gwec – Global Wind Report | Annual Market Update 2015
    GLOBAL WIND REPORT ANNUAL MARKET UPDATE 2015 Opening up new markets for business “It’s expensive for emerging companies to enter new markets like China. The risk of failure is high leading to delays and high costs of sales. GWEC introduced us to the key people we needed to know, made the personal contacts on our behalf and laid the groundwork for us to come into the market. Their services were excellent and we are a terrific referenceable member and partner.” ED WARNER, CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER, SENTIENT SCIENCE Join GWEC today! www.gwec.net Global Report 213x303 FP advert v2.indd 2 8/04/16 8:37 pm TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 4 Preface 6 Global Status of Wind Power in 2015 8 Market Forecast 2016-2020 20 Australia 26 Brazil 28 Canada 30 PR China 32 The European Union 36 Egypt 38 Finland 40 France 42 Germany 44 Offshore Wind 46 India 54 Japan 56 Mexico 58 Netherlands 60 Poland 62 South Africa 64 Turkey 66 Uruguay 68 United Kingdom 70 United States 72 About GWEC 74 GWEC – Global Wind 2015 Report 3 FOREWORD 015 was a stellar year for the wind industry and for Elsewhere in Asia, India is the main story, which has now the energy revolution, culminating with the landmark surpassed Spain to move into 4th place in the global 2Paris Agreement in December An all too rare triumph of cumulative installations ranking, and had the fifth largest multilateralism, 186 governments have finally agreed on market last year Pakistan, the Philippines, Viet Nam, where we need to get to in order to protect the climate Thailand, Mongolia and now Indonesia are all ripe
    [Show full text]
  • Manufacturing Climate Solutions Carbon-Reducing Technologies and U.S
    Manufacturing Climate Solutions Carbon-Reducing Technologies and U.S. Jobs CHAPTER 11 Wind Power: Generating Electricity and Employment Gloria Ayee, Marcy Lowe and Gary Gereffi Contributing CGGC researchers: Tyler Hall, Eun Han Kim This research is an extension of the Manufacturing Climate Solutions report published in November 2008. It was prepared on behalf of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) (http://www.edf.org/home.cfm). Cover Photo Credits: 1. Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. (formerly PPM Energy, Inc.) 2. Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. (formerly PPM Energy, Inc.) 3. Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – Reseburg, Amanda; Type A Images © September 22, 2009. Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness, Duke University The complete report is available electronically from: http://www.cggc.duke.edu/environment/climatesolutions/ As of September 22, 2009, Chapter 11 is not available in hardcopy. 2 Summary Wind power is a cost effective, renewable energy solution for electricity generation. Wind power can dramatically reduce the environmental impacts associated with power generated from fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Electricity production is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States. Thus, adoption of wind power generating technologies has become a major way for the United States to diversify its energy portfolio and reach its expressed goal of 80% reduction in green house gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2050. The benefits of wind power plants include no fuel risk, no carbon dioxide emissions or air pollution, no hazardous waste production, and no need for mining, drilling or transportation of fuel (American Wind Energy Association, 2009a).
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Wind Energy Questions Posed to the Experts
    Understanding Wind Energy Questions Posed to the Experts Sound/Noise Level Noise issues—will they be addressed? How loud will it be? Will I be able to hear it? Can you describe the sound the turbines make? What does the turbines sound like from approximately 1400 feet away? 1000 feet? 1/2 mile? Is there an accurate recording? What do the turbines sound like when it interacts with a home or building? Are there recordings from inside a house at a specific distance? Describe how the pitch of the turbine blade affects the noise emitted from the turbines? Does ice on the turbine blades affect the sound? Are the people who will live near these windmills aware that there is considerable and constant noise associated with the spinning of the blades? Do they know that huge, heavy chunks of ice fall from the blades in the winter? Can you hear turbine sounds from inside a home? People who live near the Mackinaw City wind turbines complain about the noise they make and they cannot sleep. I have stood near them and a couple of blocks away and cannot hear anything except swishing sounds. What sounds do the make that are bothering people? Are noise ordinances that are in place considered for the noise factor these turbines create? What is the decibel they will be running at? Are we allowed to enact a noise ordinance that covers all industry? Can we require that an industrial wind turbine project does not raise our daytime and/or nighttime ambient levels of sound in our ordinance? Should a noise limit in an ordinance set two limits, night
    [Show full text]