Published: February 04, 2008 10:29 am      

Myth No. 4 is no myth; wind turbines are noisy

After seeing the full page ad in your paper on Jan. 29 entitled Wind Opponent Myth No. 4 - "Wind Turbines are Very Noisy," I knew I had to respond. Basically, the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition is saying you do not have to worry about noise from industrial wind turbines if they are coming to a ridge near you.

Well, I am not sure how they conduct their decibel studies, but for all practical purposes, they mean absolutely nothing. You see, our home is over a half mile from one of those ridge-top industrial wind plants, and I am here to tell you the noise from those turbines has had a dramatic impact on the sanctity of our country home.

The peace and quiet of our rural setting was one of the many benefits we sought when choosing to live in such a place. Those of you who are fortunate enough to live in a country home know what I mean.

Our "peace and quiet" dramatically changed when the wind plant went into operation in the winter of 2003. Oh, we heard noises before, you know, an occasional car going by on our dirt road, a distant train now and then, a distant dog barking.

We could also hear distant owls calling, swans and other birds calling as they flew high overhead during migration, and other wonderful noises of nature. But most of all, on many nights prior to 2003, we heard absolutely nothing - the golden silence of country living.

That has all changed now because of the wind turbines. They are not noisy every single day. It is not as bad during the summer, but during fall and winter they are very disruptive. The absolute worst noise insult occurs when conditions seem to be calm at ground level, but a stiff breeze is apparently blowing at the turbine's level.

Prior to the wind turbines, these conditions would have meant a peaceful, quiet day or night. Instead, the turbines now dominate the auditory scene. We have never gotten used to it. We put up with it, because we can do nothing about it. But, make no mistake, wind turbines do make noise and they will impact you if you live within a mile of them, no matter what the wind power companies tell you.

Deception is at the heart of the message put forth by wind power advocates concerning the issue of wind turbines on the Appalachian ridge-tops. Please beware.

Ed Thompson
Meyersdale, Pa.