“January Pretzel” — a Bent Tree bent turbine blade 1/20/2018

Taken by the Hagens in the Bent Tree wind project

DOH!  The Bent Tree Phase II noise report is out and it confirms that the project is violating the siting permit.

Bent+Tree+08+573+PostConstNoiseMonPhase+II+Report+2+7+18

Bottom line:

Here’s the Phase I report:

Bent Tree_Noise Monitoring and Noise Monitoring Report_20179-135856-01

So now what are they going to do?

Tomorrow, the Big Blue wind project is at the PUC which is violating their permit too, and the PUC decision options are to revoke permit, suspend permit, or continue operations with compliance filings.

StaffBriefingPapers20182-139717-01

The process here is flawed (to put it mildly).  There is noise modeling required in wind project permitting, but clearly that isn’t sufficient to site them in a way that won’t steamroll the neighbors to the project.  The setbacks in MN aren’t adequately protective.  Deal with it, Public Utilities Commission!

Look who’s in the news!

January 5th, 2018

Sustainable: Planners charting Minnesota’s energy future

Yes, we all know that Mike Bull wrote most of the energy law now in place!  But there’s no mention of those many years of work at House Regulated Industries Committee though…

And we all know that there are some big holes and problems with the wind siting statutes, rules, and standards.  What will it take to get some of the problems worked through, like some respectful wind siting standards?  We’re just starting to see, at long last, after years and years of complaints, some Public Utilities Commission action on wind noise issues.

Bent Tree_Noise Monitoring and Monitoring Report_20179-135856-01

Siting will have to be addressed, because despite sound modeling that says “no problem,” there are indeed problems.  Despite shadow flicker modeling that says “no problem,” there are indeed problems.

Preventative siting is long overdue and needs to start NOW!  And what about those already  affected?  “Buy the Farm” for wind?  It’s overdue.  Action after the fact is not the best of options, prevention is always the key, but for those now attempting to live in untenable circumstances, foisted on them by the nuisance moving into their community, and permitted by the Commission, what are the options?

Wind project in southern Minnesota gets pushback

Hey Mikey, how ’bout helping get to some solutions???