Falmouth Wind Energy --- Time Line

Transcription

1 2001/2002 Falmouth Energy Committee formed - conduct comprehensive energy inventory for town April 2002 Sept Spring 2003 May 2004 Board of Selectmen vote to join International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives and Cities for Climate Protection Programs Energy Inventory for town completed by Energy Committee Energy Committee requested anemometer at WWTF to measure wind speeds to determine feasibility of site for a wind turbine Anemometer installed at WWTF by UMASS Amherst Wind Energy Center Feb Energy Committee sent Wind Survey to 29 neighborss of WWTF. At this time, one turbine was anticipated to be approximately 1500 feet from any residence and approximately 240 feet to highest tip of blade. Of the 7 responses received, 2 were in favor, 1 was somewhat in favor, 1 was opposed and 3 needed more information. The highest concern was noise, the next seemed to be birds, then property values. 4/8/2004 Wind Energy Forum held by Energy Committee 6/22/2004 Bus trip to Hull, MA for interested residents to view 660 kw turbine - sponsored by Energy Committee 1/27/2005 Weather balloon test cancelled - neighbors notified April 2005 Anemometer study completed Sept Climate Protection Action Plan completed Nov Mass Technology Collaborative and Kema, Inc. - Preliminary Wind Turbine Financial Analysis for 1 turbine Nov Kema, Inc. & Ecology & Environment, Inc. - Feasibility Study for 1 turbine 2/26/2007 Energy Committee proposed a 1.5MW wind turbine at the Falmouth Wastewater Treatment Facility and Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the notice of intent to proceed. April 2007 Special Town Meeting Article # 12 - Unanimous approval to authorize Board of Selectmen to petition General Court to authorize Town of Falmouth to install, finance and operate wind energy facilities at Wastewater Treatment Facility Nov Town Meeting Article # 14-2/3 majority approval to appropriate funds for the installation of a wind energy facility at Wastewater Treatment Facility; Authorize borrowing of $4,000, /29/2007 Governor approves act to authorize the Town of Falmouth to install, finance and operate wind facilities (Attachment B, Chapter 200 of the Acts of 2007) 04/29/2008 Letter to Senator Therese Murray requesting assistance in working with the Mass Technology Collaborative to release one of its Vestas 1.65 MW turbines to the Town of Falmouth. April 2008 Fisheries and Wildlife permit completed Spring 2008 Mass Historical permit completed 7/2/2008 Governor Patrick signs Green Communities Act allowing net metering Nov Town Meeting Article # 16 - Unanimous approval to appropriate and/or borrow additional $992,000 for the installation of a wind energy facility at Wastewater Treatment Facility 2008 D & C Construction hired to provide and install Wind 1

2 Dec May 2009 FAA issued "notice of presumed hazard thereby rescinding its previous approval of the project. Then, after much work by the Town and others, the FAA re-issued determinations of no hazard in May /12/2009 Building Commissioner requests review of Wind 1 plan by Mass Dept. of Public Safety 5/26/2009 Mass Dept. of Public Safety approves construction of Wind 1 6/30/2009 Building Commissioner issued building permit for Wind 1 Mass. Technology Collaborative executed contract for renewable energy certificates (REC) for future energy generated by Wind 1. Shortly 7/29/2009 thereafter, MTC made prepayment of $1,010,623 for the Wind-1 RECs to the Town. Delivery (repayment) over time in the form of energy generated by the wind turbines begins April 1, 2015 to MTC and Mass CEC. 7/29/2009 Mass Technology Collaborative sold Vestas 2006 V82 model and 80 meter tower to D & C Construction for use in Falmouth. (Wind 1 had been intended for use by Town of Orleans - but was never used) Sept Wind I delivered to Falmouth Nov Town Meeting Article # 16 - Unanimous approval to establish Renewable Energy Stabilization Fund Nov Town Meeting Article # 17-2/3 majority approval to move $953,623 from sale of renewable energy certificates from Certified Free Cash to Renewable Energy Stabalization Fund Nov Town Meeting Article # 18 - Majority approval to authorize Board of Selectmen to petition General Court to amend Chapter 200 of the Acts of 2007 Section 5 regarding development of a separate Renewable Energy Fund Nov Town Meeting Article # 19 - Majority approval to appropriate $57,000 from Certified Free Cash to pay wind energy facility debts 11/09-01/10 FAA permits completed 3/23/2010 Wind 1 officially commissioned. 4/6/2010 Wind 1 begins operation. Complaints from neighbors's to town manager begin 4/27/2010 EPA grants the Town of Falmouth a waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA section 1605 under the authority of section 1605(b)(2) for Wind 2. April 2010 Vestas notified of complaints; Vestas performed maintenance and certified Wind I was operating as designed. June 2010 Hired Weston and Sampson to conduct sound study and Regina Villa Associates to assist with communications 6/10/2010 Meeting - Town Manager, Asst. Town Manager, 18 neighbors, Noise Control Engineering sound consultant met to gather neighbors input and discuss proposed scope of work for sound study 6/14/2010 Weston and Sampson; Noise Control Engineering; Harris, Miller, Miller & Hanson (HMMH) - Scope of work finalized and division of labor determined among consultants 6/15/2010 Sound Study log sheets mailed to nearly 300 residents in vicinity of Wind I to gather anecdotal information from residents (sheets collected by NCE) 06/18/10-06/28/10 HMMH Sound study data for Wind 1 operation gathered July 2010 Wind Energy Project web page launched; gmail account opened in order to facilitate communication, distribute information and log complaints and comments.

3 7/8/2010 Wind 1 Sound Study update mailed or ed to nearly 300 residents Governor approves act to amend section 5 of 2007 act (Chapter 175 of the Acts of 2010). The amendment authorizes the Town of Falmouth 7/22/2010 to establish a fund whereby the revenues from the wind energy facility can be used to offset other energy or energy related expenses of the town. 8/3/2010 Wind Energy Project FAQ posted - Provided background and benefits; summarized sound study 8/11/2010 Wind 1 Sound study raw data posted; e-list notified 8/25/2010 Neighbor request to Building Commissioner to cease and desist operation of Wind I and direct town to seek a special permit 9/24/2010 Building Commissioner - Denial of cease and desist request and need for special permit 9/27/2010 HMMH Sound study findings of Wind 1 posted; e-list notified; meeting with neighbors and town reps and NCE 10/4/2010 Neighbors appeal to Zoning Board of Appeals re: Building Commissioner's denial that Wind 1 required a special permit 10/4/2010 Neighbors' attorney issues letter to the Town requesting that they immediately institute the higher cut-in speed (6.5 meters per second) and re-institute the cut-off at 10 meters per second. 10/8/2010 Neighbors' attorney followed up with assistant Town Manager regarding request for immediate additional curtailment to provide relief due to reported harsh wind/weather patterns at this time. 10/8/2010 Letter from Assistant Town Manager sent to neighbors' attorney proposing curtailment of Wind 1 at 12 meters per second between midnight and 3 AM 10/15/2010 Letter from neighbors' attorney - Mitigation measures deemed wholly inadequate 10/15/2010 Letter from neighbors' attorney to Zoning Board of Appeals - additional neighbors joining appeal to Barnstable Superior Court regarding ZBA's decision that special permit not required. 11/22/2010 Neighbors requests Town Manager halt construction of Wind 2 until noise, flicker and ice throw concerns are resolved. 11/30/2010 Zoning Board of Appeals voted to: 1)issue a local moratorium on wind development in Falmouth for one year and 2)write a letter to Barnstable County Commissioners suggesting they consider making the Upper Cape a District of Critical Planning Concern for wind energy 12/2/2010 Zoning Board of Appeals - public hearing process regarding neighbors' appeal Jan Public records request by neighbors Mass DEP recommends that an addendum to the Falmouth Wind Turbine Noise Study be prepared such that the broadband and pure tone 1/24/2011 data are presented in a manner that is consistent with the Noise Policy. This will enable Mass DEP to make a determination regarding noise compliance of Wind 1. Jan HMMH hired to proceed with Noise Study addendum requested by Mass DEP. 2/17/2011 Zoning Board of Appeals - Denial of neighbors' appeal (3 in favor of appeal, 1 against) 2/23/2011 Board of Selectmen vote to cease operation of Wind 1 during hours of 12 am to 3 am 2/28/2011 Board of Selectmen vote to curtail operations of Wind 1 when wind speed exceeds 10 meters/second at the hub. 3/4/2011 HMMH, Weston and Sampson and Mass DEP meet to review Wind 1 noise study results and Mass DEP data requests 3/21/2011 Neighbors' appeal ZBA decision to Barn. County Superior Court

4 3/28/2011 Falmouth Board of Health voted to: 1)draft a letter to the Mass DPH requesting they expedite the process for evaluating the health effects of wind turbines, 2) notify Board of Selectmen that Falmouth BOH has received complaints about the turbines and seeks advice regarding how to proceed, and 3) support Article 8 at Town meeting (moratoria on permits for windmills until May 1, /31/2011 Annual report on Wind I posted including operations, permits, agreements, costs and energy production 4/26/2011 HMMH Wind 1 Sound Study Addendum posted - addresses Mass DEP requests Board of Selectmen Meeting at Morse Pond School- Facilitated by Nancy Farrell of the public affairs firm Regina Villa Associates of Boston - presentations and comments to aid in the development of a Wind Energy Facilities Operations and/or Mitigation Plan. (presentations by 6/6/2011 HMMH; Weston & Sampson, Falmouth Wind Turbine s Project Engineers; State Officials; Vestas engineer, wind turbine neighbors and their professional sound engineers, Noise Control Engineering, Inc. 6/7/2011 Above presentations posted Mass DEP letter to Falmouth BoS and BoH recognizing Falmouth's unattended study of Wind I by HMMH, acknowledging that the sound 6/30/2011 impact of wind turbines was not considered in the development of the current DEP sound evaluation/noise compliance guidelines and recommending specific technical parameters for an additional short term attended study. June - July Mass DEP and Mass DPH seek public input on health concerns for their planned convening of an expert scientific panel on potential health 2011 impacts of exposure to wind turbines. Board of Selectmen meeting held at Falmouth High School and facilitated by Nancy Farrell, Regina Villa Associates, a public relations firm 7/11/2011 hired by the Town - presentations and comments regarding turbine operations and resident concerns 8/29/2011 Mass CEC offered technical support to the Town for "wind technology and controls" and "acoustics". Board of Selectmen voted to discontinue operations of Wind 1, except for periods required for further study or ordinary maintenance, until April 2012 Town Meeting. Board of Selectmen voted to commission and operate Wind 2 to its full capacity for 1 month to study the noise 11/08/2011 and health impacts on neighbors. In the second month, Wind 2 will be curtailed at wind speeds in excess of 10 meters per second. Complaints will be logged and evaluated for both operations. At the end of the second month, operations of Wind 2 will be discontinued until April 2012 Town Meeting. 11/08/2011 Town Meeting Petition article # 9 - majority voted indefinite postponement of article to suspend operations of both turbines. 11/08/2011 Town Meeting article # 31 - Appropriate $30,000 from Certified Free Cash to fund consulting services related to mitigation analysis and a Sound Study to ameliorate the impacts of Wind Energy Facilities. 11/9/2011 Mass CEC presented Board of Selectmen with options for consultants to provide wind technology and acoustics services. Dec Dec Jan Weston and Sampson - Wind Energy Facility Mitigation Alternatives Analysis Mass Clean Energy Center presents Board of Selectmen with options for consultants to provide facilitation services. Independent Expert Science Panel Releases Report on Potential Health Effects of Wind Turbines. The panel was convened by Mass DEP and Mass DPH.

5 2/23/2012 Wind 2 began operations; operated at full power for 1 month to gather feedback from neighboring community. March 2012 Wind 2 operations curtailed for wind speeds over 10 meters per second at hub height for 30 days of testing. 3/14/2012 Board of Health letter to Mass DEP and Mass DPH requesting sleep study and formulation of noise specifications and measurement techniques 3/15/2012 Acentech review of Weston & Sampson mitigation report posted (funded by Mass CEC) - Sound Mitigation Options and Recommendations 3/15/2012 DNV/Kema review of Weston & Sampson mitigation report (funded by Mass CEC)- Mitigation Report for Wind I and Wind 2 4/2/2012 Board of Selectmen vote Statement of Principles Related to the Operation of Wind Energy Facilities. March 2012 Mass DEP performed an Attended Sampling of Sound, using a shortened version of the 2003 Compliance Guidance, to determine compliance of Wind 1. 4/12/2012 2nd Annual Report for Wind I completed 4/12/2012 Consensus Building Institute (CBI) Report regarding the development of a long term mitigation plan 4/12/2012 Neighbors of Town Turbines issue a Statement of Principles to Board of Selectmen. April 2012 Town Meeting article #18 - Majority vote to pay debt service, maintenance, operations costs and purchase of electric power associated with Wind I and 2 April 2012 Town Mtg. Petition article # 23 - Majority vote to continue suspension of operation of Wind I and 2 until Nov 2012 Town Mtg. April 2012 Town Meeting Petition article # 27 - Majority vote to support Board of Selectmen's plan to mitigate adverse impacts and optimize operation of Wind I and 2 April 2012 Board of Selectmen vote to cease operation of Wind I and Wind 2 from 7pm to 7am 5/14/2012 Board of Selectmen vote to temporarily cease operations of Wind 1 for a period of 30 days to enable Mass DEP to conduct sound monitoring of Wind 1 and of Wind 1 and Wind 2 operating concurrently. 5/15/2012 5/24/2012 Mass DEP Sound Sampling Study report - Wind-1 noise exceeded the 10 dba threshold that Mass DEP defines as unacceptable sound at one residence under both high and low wind conditions in the early morning hours. Mass DEP understands that Wind 1 will not be operated during nightime hours unless and until steps are taken to reduce nighttime sound impact to levels below Mass DEP's 10 dba threshold. Additional testing is needed to determine if Wind 1 meets the Mass DEP 10 dba threshold during daytime operation. Falmouth Board of Health - Public Hearing regarding health impacts of neighbors; Verbal and written testimony accepted; 41 families reported that at least one member of the household had negative effects that they attributed to the operations of the turbines. 5/30/2012 Wind Turbines Options Analysis Process (WTOP) begins - Multi-stakeholder exploration of all options for the long term future of the Town owned wind turbines. 6/6/2012 Neighbors of Wind 1 and 2 make a statement to the WTOP group and the town and decline to participate in the WTOP June 2012 Falmouth Board of Health letter to Mass Dept. of Public Health requesting urgent Health Assessment Study re: impact of turbines and guidance re: urgent/emergency mitigation.

6 June /25/2012 6/27/2012 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 4 public meetings this month Board of Selectmen vote to set aside their April 2012 Statement of Principles in order to assure neighbors that all options will be considered by the WTOP. Representatives of the neighbors impacted by the operations of the wind turbines begin participation in the Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process (WTOP). May/Jun 2012 Mass DEP conducted daytime sound testing of both Wind 1 and Wind 2. July 2012 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 4 public meetings this month 08/01/2012 Falmouth Board of Health met with Mass DPH to discuss jurisdictional authority of local BOH and the resources needed to conduct a health assessment sudy. 08/28/12 Letter from Mass DPH - resources to conduct a health assessment sudy are not available at the local or state level. August 2012 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 2 public meetings this month Sept Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 2 public meetings this month Oct 2012 Mass DEP provided preliminary report regarding daytime sound testing to WTOP - no exceedances measured during daytime hours. Oct 2012 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 5 public meetings this month 11/07/2012 Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC provided preliminary revenue, expense and cash flow analysis to WTOP 11/07/2012 DNV/Kema provided preliminary analysis of potential curtailment options to WTOP Nov 2012 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 3 public meetings this month Nov Town Mtg. article # 3-2/3 majority voted not to amend the current windmill zoning bylaw (Chapter 240) as proposed by planning board Nov Town Meeting article # 35 - majority voted not to request Planning Board to draft a zoning by-law for wind turbines to be closely based on Mass DOER amended model as of June Nov Town Meeting Article # 41 - majority voted to support the Board of Selectmen and the Consensus Building Institute Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process. Nov Town Meeting article # 42 - majority voted not to shut down the operation of Wind I and Wind 2 Dec The Planning Board voted to present a modified Wind Energy Systems Bylaw to April Town Meeting 2013 Dec 2012 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 1 public meetings this month Federal Aviation Administration letter regarding aeronautical study of North Falmouth site for relocation of Wind 1 and Wind 2 - finding that 12/07/2012 the structures would be a hazard to air navigation. Jan 2013 Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process held 3 public meetings this month Compiled by Karen Cardeira with input from members of Wind Turbine Options Analysis Process January 2013