Another Freeborn last minute filing! And AFCL response
September 19th, 2018
Freeborn Wind at the PUC tomorrow.
Watch on line HERE: Live Webcast
ANOTHER LATE FILING!!! This last minute flurry is indicative of their desperation! So I guess it’s a good thing, but hey, I’ve got to get ready for the Wind Rulemaking docket that I’ve been trying to get before the Commission for how many years? Oh well… one thing at a time…
Freeborn Wind’s “Late Filed — Proposed Special Conditions Related to Noise _20189-146486-01
And our response just filed:
Oh yeah, we’re going to have fun at the PUC tomorrow. Watch on line HERE: Live Webcast
And background, yesterday and day before:
AFCL reply to Freeborn Wind’s Motion to Exclude
Freeborn Wind files Motion to Exclude!!
Bent Tree Order filed by PUC
June 5th, 2018
The settlement agreements for Minnesota’s first landowner buyouts were approved by the Public Utilities Commission at its agenda meeting on May 17, 2018. Today, it’s REAL, the written order has been filed.
Thanks to Alliant/Wisconsin Power & Light for their work in getting this done. Now, time for a couple of closings!
And at the same time, let’s whip this wind siting process into shape!
Live from the PUC!
February 1st, 2010
Except that now there’s a delayed start, we’re missing a Commissioner…
Here’s some notes, we’re taking a break — I’m missing some parts, but here we go:
OK, the “ROUGH notes” are their in toto, but hey, I’ve got something better:
HERE’S THE MEETING – February 1 Agenda Meeting
You may have to download “Silverlight” to view the meeting.
If we can’t, we should be shot…
June 9th, 2009
Really, that’s what they said at a meeting where the operators of the Hibbing “biomass” plant were confronted with all the problems, dust, noise, neighbors fed up and bringing in the evidence. This is the plant that was violating its air permit and was fined and shut down,
but of course air permit limits were INCREASED and it reopened.
GRRRRRRRRRR. And when they were told to clean it up, given a deadline, they said:
Thanks to Charlotte Neigh for sending this in. Let’s keep an eye on this one! Ready… aim…
Commission vows to take action on dust, noise
Meeting draws more complaints from neighbors
by Kelly Grinsteinner
Assistant Editor“It’s something that’s going off in my head,” she said. “Something
needs to be done.”“Everything is so filthy,” she added. “I can’t clean it. We can’t sell
it. We’re stuck.”Linda Johnson imitated the irritating noise she hears coming from the plant.
“It’s sad when you wake up dreaming of WD-40,” she said.
“Keep yours on your side of the street, and I’ll keep to my side of the
street,” he said.
Dept of Health releases Wind White Paper
June 5th, 2009
Iff we could harness the energy of Katie V. Troe! Her work on the Bent Tree Wind Project has a measurable impact. Here’s one example — the long awaited Minnesota Dept. of Health Wind White Paper has been released, and here it is:
Here’s the short version:
The Minnesota nighttime standard of 50 dB(A) not to be exceeded more than 50% of the time in a given hour, appears to underweight penetration of low frequency noise into dwellings. Different schemes for evaluating low frequency noise, and/or lower noise standards, have been developed in a number of countries.
…
Unlike low frequency noise, shadow flicker can affect individuals outdoors as well as indoors, and may be noticeable inside any building. Flicker can be eliminated by placement of wind turbines outside of the path of the sun as viewed from areas of concern, or by appropriate setbacks.
Prediction of complaint likelihood during project planning depends on: 1) good noise modeling including characterization of potential sources of aerodynamic modulation noise and characterization of nighttime wind conditions and noise; 2) shadow flicker modeling; 3) visibility of the wind turbines; and 4) interests of nearby residents and community.
VII. Recommendations
To assure informed decisions:
- Wind turbine noise estimates should include cumulative impacts (40-50 dB(A) isopleths) of all wind turbines.
- Isopleths for dB(C) – dB(A) greater than 10 dB should also be determined to evaluate the low frequency noise component.
- Potential impacts from shadow flicker and turbine visibility should be evaluated.
Any noise criteria beyond current state standards used for placement of wind turbines should reflect priorities and attitudes of the community.
This seems to me to be recommending either local control of siting criteria that actually addresses these issues (and what county government will?) or state criteria change reflecting issues raised by local communities and recommendations that the people have brought forward.