Hazlet resident urges Gov to stop wind turbine project

A s a primer, it is seriously recommended that the reader go to his computer and call up the following: www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/print/article/2011/ 02/ looking- for- wind- indus t ryleadership in-reducing-noise-impact. Although posted on the over-arching pro-Renewable Energy World website, it is an outright indictment of the wind energy industry and its minions, such as the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority (BRSA), for failing to honestly address the industrial wind turbine (IWT) noise issue as it relates to siting IWT near residential areas. It cites acoustician studies warning of this problem as far back as 2007 and 2008. It reflects problems for 44 percent of those exposed out to 1,900 feet, and 50 percent of respondents within a halfmile complaining about the noise. The following is a quote from that article: “Unfortunately, this work has been relentlessly attacked by many in the industry, despite the fact that these more cautionary acousticians aren’t activist yahoos (fear mongers), but longtime industrial and military consultants with decades in the field of noise control. It’s time to step back from stubborn ‘lines in the sand’ and really assess what they are finding.” (The governor recently stopped the Sea Girt IWT project, and one of the reasons given was IWT-generated noise.)

The BRSAfound a superfluous National Association of Realtors’ largearea (15 square miles) report that IWT had little or no impact on property values. Our researchers found data on the sworn statements of licensed property assessors as far back as 2008 stating that IWT caused a drop of 20-45 percent in property values out to two miles (almost the entire Union Beach community). Note: HUD only recognizes property value findings of licensed property assessors. (The property value issue was a major factor in the governor’s decision on the Sea Girt IWT project.)

As early as the spring of 2009, public health issues were raised to the BRSA in relation to the medical aspects of the now coined “wind turbine syndrome” that Dr. Nina Pierpont highlighted in a paper presented to the Energy Subcommittee of the New York State Legislature in 2006. Dr. Pierpont’s book, which was highly rated in peer review on this matter, appeared on the shelves in November 2009 and provided a more detailed, indepth presentation of her research work and medical findings. Google Rand Acoustics, Robert W. Rand, and Steve Ambrose. What you will find is a 4/20/11 note from Mr. Rand to Dr. Pierpont, part of which is quoted here, “ … [W]e both experienced medical effects in the vicinity of the turbine under survey (one industrial wind turbine) under strong wind conditions aloft, nausea, loss of appetite, vertigo, dizziness, inability to concentrate, an overwhelming desire to get outside and anxiety.”

The BRSA’s stand against Dr. Pierpont’s findings, that theirs is only a single turbine, evidently doesn’t stand up. (The negative public health issue, aka wind turbine syndrome, was another factor in the governor’s decision.)

Gov. Christie, the people of Union Beach want to know, “Where art thou?” You have received 400-500 letters from them asking you to intervene and stop this project. A hundred or more papers, studies and documents dealing with all of the problems inherent in siting wind turbines too close to homes, school, etc., have been submitted to the BRSA, but there is no “official” record of same. There has been a plethora of letters to the editor in the local press against the IWT, most of which set forth those exact same issues that resulted in you, sir, stopping the Sea Girt project. Are you biased politically against small, blue-collar communities? Do you believe that what is right for the goose is not right for the gander? Do you cotton to lobbyists and public utilities misrepresenting the “facts” when applying to governmental bodies for “special consideration?”

Gov. Christie, the people of Union Beach have a right to right, and you, sir, are the only one who can make it happen. It’s time for you to step up to the plate and end this flagrant violation of the people’s human rights

Governor, the silence on your part is deafening. This is reflected by my unanswered letter of March 11, 2010, wherein I asked you to step forth and stop this travesty for basically the same reasons.

Charles E. Hoffman Jr. Hazlet