AWEA: Wind Turbines Can Be Heard

25 Feb 2009 11:33:22 pm
More Notes from AWEA’s Siting Workshop—Day Two


SEATTLE--(partial article)

Thousands of people live near wind farms without complaints. But some residents have complained, and since sound is often regulated at a local level, community acceptance is essential before a wind farm is developed. Panelist Mark Bastasch, of CH2M Hill, noted that the industry has to “provide clarity once and for all” on the sound question. That means, among other things, assembling an advisory panel to determine whether more research is needed. He also stated that developers should make sure that the community understands beforehand that “turbines can be heard.”

One of the final speakers, Robert Kahn, of Robert D. Kahn & Co., noted that he doesn’t “do” Power Point presentations, then proceeded to deliver perfect verbal bullet points on getting wind projects approved:
--You have to get the science right. He who has the best data wins.
--You have to send in lawyers and (hired) guns and money.--You must reach accommodation with the (government) agencies. And you need to be prepared to mitigate where appropriate.
--If you get those steps right, your chances for success are vastly improved.