Wind Supporter Stands up to Criticism

Mr. Dave Metzger wrote a letter to this publication referencing the Sussex County Board of Adjustments hearing to allow a residential wind turbine in the community of Quillen’s Point. His letter unfortunately contained erroneous information about this project in particular and wind power in general. As an individual who is employed in this fast-growing and critically important sector of our economy, I feel it is necessary to correct these all too common misconceptions.
 
Mr. Metzger’s objections to the proposed turbine can be summed up in three points: they are noisy, they will block views and they are dangerous to birds. I will address each of these concerns in turn.
 
The National Audubon Society has conducted extensive studies on the subject of bird kills. Their conclusion? Less than 1 in 10,000 human-caused bird deaths result from collision with wind turbines. Birds naturally avoid visible obstacles in their flight path. A multiyear study of over 12,600 North American industrial size wind turbines was able to document only 194 avian fatalities. Compare this to the United State’s 900 million plus annual bird deaths from collision with windows (which are invisible to birds).
 
The bottom line, the National Audubon Society Headquarters buys all of its power from a regional wind farm. These bird lovers are clearly in favor of wind energy. (Results of this study are available online at: www.currykerlinger.com/windpower.htm).
 
The Skystream 3.7 wind turbine proposed for Quillen’s Point would be mounted on a 33-foot pole. The total surface area of the blades is less than that of a flag. Height limitations in the community are 42 feet. The homeowner, who was applying for a variance, has graciously kept the height of his home at a modest 28 feet, allowing his neighbors a view of the bay. Compare this to Mr. Metzger’s home, a veritable wall of 60 feet wide by 42 feet tall. Which home blocks the neighborhood views more?
 
Noise is an issue often raised in connection with wind turbines. The NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov) has conducted extensive studies on various wind turbines noise output. The NREL has rated the noise output of a Skystream 3.7 at 47 decibels (DB) at the base of the turbine. Compare this to 70 decibels for an average air-conditioning unit, 57 decibels for an average conversation of 55 decibels for an average refrigerator. It’s extremely unlikely that the proposed wind turbine would be audible to its nearest neighbors. Mr. Metzger’s droll image of the turbine being heard in Wilmington is clearly ludicrous.
 
If Mr. Metzger is truly concerned about noise pollution, bird health and the vistas of his neighbors, I have some suggestions for him. First, permanently shut down your AC unit (it is far noisier than a wind turbine). Second, remove all the windows from your home (they pose a far greater hazard to the ospreys). Third, cut the top 1.5 stories off of your house (they block your neighbor’s views far more than the proposed turbine).
 
In all seriousness, I wouldn’t expect Mr. Metzger or anyone else to take any of these steps. However, it is difficult to take his opposition to residential wind turbines seriously until he does.
 
Finally, Mr. Metzger objected to the presence of individuals “directly or indirectly associated with the would-be installer.” Sussex County Board of Adjustment hearings are open to all residents of Sussex County, not just inhabitants of the Quillen’s Point community. Six residents of Quillen’s Point came out in support of the proposed turbine while seven came out in opposition. A total of 13 individuals voted in favor of the turbine while seven voted against it.
 
I am one of those who supported the wind turbine. I don’t live in Quillen’s Point, but I do live in Ocean View, downwind of the Indian River coal-burning power plant. This year, two of my neighbors, both lifelong non-smokers, died of lung cancer. In his letter, Mr. Metzger alluded to the “power of the almighty dollar.” Everything has a cost, Mr. Metzger. The cost of your continued dependence on coal-fired power is paid in the lives and health of our fellow citizens.
 
Benjamin Farr
Ocean View