More pictures of what's ahead for us.....My2Cents wrote:Imposing pictures of these wind turbines coming into an area and going up. When the page appears, you may have to scroll a little way down until the first picture comes up.
http://www.wind-watch.org/documents/des ... cefn-croes
Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
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My2Cents
- MVP Member
- Posts: 1132
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 2:49 pm
- If Mike has 13 apples, and gives six to Jane, how many does he have left?: 13
- Location: Tyrone, PA
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain
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My2Cents
- MVP Member
- Posts: 1132
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 2:49 pm
- If Mike has 13 apples, and gives six to Jane, how many does he have left?: 13
- Location: Tyrone, PA
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Quite a few years ago, I purchased a video "Our Town Tyrone" from WPSX/WPSU (Channel 3)... it was one of WPSX fund raisers. Sometime around October 25, 2003.... a group of volunteers ( including, in one part of it, our "Rick")from the Tyrone area, took to the streets to to help produce this DVD which is essentially a video scrapbook of people, places, and happenings in and around our town.... a 70 minute fantastic video. Today, after having this DVD all this time, I took time to watch it in its entirety. We certainly do have a treasure chest here, most of which is and has been taken for granted by us all.
During this video, (keep in mind this video was made in 2003) it showed the paper mill and mentioned the fact that, at one time, 1500 people from Tyrone worked there.... now it is closed.They mentioned "Team10" was working on trying to get it to re-open. Which is the reason for this post;
"Team10,"what was Team 10 ??? Who is Team 10 ??? Is this Team 10 still around ??? Team 10 was able to get our PaperMill reopened... something that people around here thought would never happen. It happened, and it was through the efforts of Team10 that did it. I'm serious... I'm asking this because I don't know..... Where is Team10 now ?? Is Team 10 still around ??? Could they possibly help in stopping these turbines from coming in here ?? Just wondering..... :rolleyes:
During this video, (keep in mind this video was made in 2003) it showed the paper mill and mentioned the fact that, at one time, 1500 people from Tyrone worked there.... now it is closed.They mentioned "Team10" was working on trying to get it to re-open. Which is the reason for this post;
"Team10,"what was Team 10 ??? Who is Team 10 ??? Is this Team 10 still around ??? Team 10 was able to get our PaperMill reopened... something that people around here thought would never happen. It happened, and it was through the efforts of Team10 that did it. I'm serious... I'm asking this because I don't know..... Where is Team10 now ?? Is Team 10 still around ??? Could they possibly help in stopping these turbines from coming in here ?? Just wondering..... :rolleyes:
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Disgusted
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
I believe Team Ten is just another name for American Eagle Paper Mills, So it is the company that purchased and reopened the mill.
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Team Ten is the ten people that went together to purchase the papermill so it could be reopened.
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My2Cents
- MVP Member
- Posts: 1132
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 2:49 pm
- If Mike has 13 apples, and gives six to Jane, how many does he have left?: 13
- Location: Tyrone, PA
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
THANKS !! I guess that won't help us at all.
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My2Cents
- MVP Member
- Posts: 1132
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 2:49 pm
- If Mike has 13 apples, and gives six to Jane, how many does he have left?: 13
- Location: Tyrone, PA
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Check out all the videos and information in this site....there is a lot of first hand info here.
Some are of people who have to live near these things.
Shaffer Mountain is just south of us.
http://www.shaffermountain.com
Some are of people who have to live near these things.
Shaffer Mountain is just south of us.
http://www.shaffermountain.com
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
http://www.jvas.org/cc_allegh_ridge_turbines.html
SAVE ICE MOUNTAIN is troubled by the Tyrone Borough Council's track record of ignoring Ice Mountain's designation as a Blair County Natural Heritage Area. Not once has any Tyrone Borough Council member publicly addressed the severe impact that a proposed industrial windplant would have on this County Natural Heritage Area, which is described as an area that is "unique" and "of exceptional conservation value" in the Blair County Natural Heritage Inventory that was done under the direction of the Blair County Planning Commission 5 years ago and accepted by the Blair County Commissioners 2 years ago. This official Blair County document may be viewed at http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/ ... 202006.pdf
There is growing consensus among the scientific community that ridgetop industrial windplants pose significant threats to Pennsylvania's natural heritage. As a matter of fact, a recent statement by the Pennsylvania Biological Survey described the impact of industrial winplants in ridgetop forested settings as "severe." The US Fish and Wildlife Service describes three broad impacts of industrial windplants: direct mortality of birds and bats, the inducement of avoidance behavior, and forest fragmentation. The Pennsylvania Game Commission describes the Allegheny Front, of which Ice Mountain is a part, as a "high risk site" for industrial windplant development. Dr. Keith Bildstein, director of conservation at world-famous Hawk Mountain, writes that these "high risk" sites should be off-limits to industrial windplant development. Dr. Todd Katzner of the National Aviary has demonstrated through radiotelemetry that Ice Mountain is on the major eastern golden eagle migratory route and he states that the golden eagle, Tyrone High School's mascot, is the species most at risk from industrial windplant development.
An industrial windplant on Ice Mountain would require the carving out of many miles of new heavy-duty roadway to construct and service the two dozen gargantuan industrial wind turbines that Gamesa plans to construct west and north of Tyrone. The Blair County Natural Heritage Inventory specifically states that the construction of roads should be avoided in this County Natural Heritage Area.
This proposed extensive road network has substantial ecological costs, including increased erosion, chemical and thermal water pollution, spread of invasive exotics, and forest fragmentation. Such impacts extend out to 300 yards on either side of a road creating a “road-effect zone.” Road-related habitat fragmentation is a huge problem in Pennsylvania and it is getting worse by the day as more roads are built in contiguous forests.
When roads reach a certain density (miles of road per area of land) an ecological threshold is reached whereby sensitive wildlife species begin to show signs of stress or avoidance of otherwise suitable habitat. Ecological thresholds related to roads have been noted for aquatic systems as well: roads disrupt hydrologic flow, alter
streamside habitat, fragment aquatic habitat, and reduce water quality.
Ice Mountain and the County Natural Heritage Area of which it is a part contain irreplaceable reservoirs of wildlife habitat and perform many valuable ecological services diminished by roads and other developments that degrade natural landscapes. Ecosystem services that are diminished by roads and associated uses include the provision of essential habitat for species of conservation concern, the provision of a broad array of habitat types, the provision of “buffer areas” from exotic species invasions and edge effects, the provision of refugia for road sensitive species, the provision of landscape and regional connectivity; and the provision of strongholds for trout and other coldwater species in Sink Run, Decker Run, and Big Fill Run (all of which would be impacted by the Sandy Ridge Wind Farm).
Three years of debate have failed to deter the windplant developer from this destructive project because the developer's decisions have been based on a lack of understanding of the values that Blair County Natural Heritage Areas provide for our county. In fact, the developer ignores or dismisses Ice Mountain's status in the Blair County Natural Heritage Inventory.
We expect that Ice Mountain, a unique Blair County Natural Heritage Area of exceptional conservation value, will be managed to the highest ecological standard, and will be protected from further degradation. It is not possible to respect Ice Mountain's status as a County Natural Heritage Area and then vote "yes" to convert it into an industrial windplant.
SAVE ICE MOUNTAIN is troubled by the Tyrone Borough Council's track record of ignoring Ice Mountain's designation as a Blair County Natural Heritage Area. Not once has any Tyrone Borough Council member publicly addressed the severe impact that a proposed industrial windplant would have on this County Natural Heritage Area, which is described as an area that is "unique" and "of exceptional conservation value" in the Blair County Natural Heritage Inventory that was done under the direction of the Blair County Planning Commission 5 years ago and accepted by the Blair County Commissioners 2 years ago. This official Blair County document may be viewed at http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/ ... 202006.pdf
There is growing consensus among the scientific community that ridgetop industrial windplants pose significant threats to Pennsylvania's natural heritage. As a matter of fact, a recent statement by the Pennsylvania Biological Survey described the impact of industrial winplants in ridgetop forested settings as "severe." The US Fish and Wildlife Service describes three broad impacts of industrial windplants: direct mortality of birds and bats, the inducement of avoidance behavior, and forest fragmentation. The Pennsylvania Game Commission describes the Allegheny Front, of which Ice Mountain is a part, as a "high risk site" for industrial windplant development. Dr. Keith Bildstein, director of conservation at world-famous Hawk Mountain, writes that these "high risk" sites should be off-limits to industrial windplant development. Dr. Todd Katzner of the National Aviary has demonstrated through radiotelemetry that Ice Mountain is on the major eastern golden eagle migratory route and he states that the golden eagle, Tyrone High School's mascot, is the species most at risk from industrial windplant development.
An industrial windplant on Ice Mountain would require the carving out of many miles of new heavy-duty roadway to construct and service the two dozen gargantuan industrial wind turbines that Gamesa plans to construct west and north of Tyrone. The Blair County Natural Heritage Inventory specifically states that the construction of roads should be avoided in this County Natural Heritage Area.
This proposed extensive road network has substantial ecological costs, including increased erosion, chemical and thermal water pollution, spread of invasive exotics, and forest fragmentation. Such impacts extend out to 300 yards on either side of a road creating a “road-effect zone.” Road-related habitat fragmentation is a huge problem in Pennsylvania and it is getting worse by the day as more roads are built in contiguous forests.
When roads reach a certain density (miles of road per area of land) an ecological threshold is reached whereby sensitive wildlife species begin to show signs of stress or avoidance of otherwise suitable habitat. Ecological thresholds related to roads have been noted for aquatic systems as well: roads disrupt hydrologic flow, alter
streamside habitat, fragment aquatic habitat, and reduce water quality.
Ice Mountain and the County Natural Heritage Area of which it is a part contain irreplaceable reservoirs of wildlife habitat and perform many valuable ecological services diminished by roads and other developments that degrade natural landscapes. Ecosystem services that are diminished by roads and associated uses include the provision of essential habitat for species of conservation concern, the provision of a broad array of habitat types, the provision of “buffer areas” from exotic species invasions and edge effects, the provision of refugia for road sensitive species, the provision of landscape and regional connectivity; and the provision of strongholds for trout and other coldwater species in Sink Run, Decker Run, and Big Fill Run (all of which would be impacted by the Sandy Ridge Wind Farm).
Three years of debate have failed to deter the windplant developer from this destructive project because the developer's decisions have been based on a lack of understanding of the values that Blair County Natural Heritage Areas provide for our county. In fact, the developer ignores or dismisses Ice Mountain's status in the Blair County Natural Heritage Inventory.
We expect that Ice Mountain, a unique Blair County Natural Heritage Area of exceptional conservation value, will be managed to the highest ecological standard, and will be protected from further degradation. It is not possible to respect Ice Mountain's status as a County Natural Heritage Area and then vote "yes" to convert it into an industrial windplant.
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Beware lease signers....
http://www.windaction.org/news/20474
Noble liens hit 43 more properties
March 26, 2009 by Darcy Fargo in Malone Telegram
Just a week after it was first reported that mechanics liens had been filed on three area property owners on land used by Noble Environmental Power LLC, 43 more such documents were filed in the Franklin County Courthouse including two on the Village of Chateaugay.
On March 11, three liens filed by electrical contractor Stuart C. Irby Company of Jackson, Miss., indicated that Noble has not paid $784,692.88 for "electrical materials and equipment and related services in connection with the construction and installation of a wind turbine project known as ‘Noble Chateaugay Windpark, LLC' in the State of New York."
Late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the 43 new liens totaling just shy of $3 million were filed in the Franklin County Clerk's office.
While the lien documents are filed as a liability on Noble Chateaugay Windpark LLC and Noble Constructors LLC, they also include the property owners. The liens filed March 11 were on properties owned by Michael Garrow of Chateaugay; another is owned by Alonso Domingo of West Orange, N.J.; and the other is owned by Marjorie Cornell of Pawling, and Gary Cornell of York, Pa.
Garrow, the Cornells and Domingo are also named in the new liens, filed by Aristeo Construction Company of Livonia, Mich., for "excavation and backfill of soil, installation of steel and concrete foundation systems for placement of turbines, and erection and installation of turbine components." Also named in liens some property owners having liens filed on multiple easement properties are the Village of Chateaugay, Harrigan Brothers Dairy Farm, Timothy and Ellen Chase, John and Pamela Carroll, Kenneth and Bernice Dumont, Daniel Boadway, Clement and Jodene Lavoie, Edward Prechtl, Trainer Real Estate, William and Mary Jones, Peter and Linda Neveu, Kurt Peets, Thomas and Brenda Rabideau, John and Francois Cutting, Eugene and Kathy Lavoie, John Beckett, Shari Spaulding, Harry Otis, Ronald and Sandra Weaver, Bruce and Debra Bennett, St. Lawrence Valley Dairy Inc., Douglas and Sharon Malette, and Lloyd and Luciella Gillette. The individual liens range from $12,813 to $128,439.
Aristeo, in the documents it filed, said it performed a total of $26.63 million in work for Noble.
Having a lien on a property in addition to potentially damaging credit scores renders the owner unable to obtain a clear title to the property. It can also impact the owners' ability to obtain loans and lines of credit.
Every individual reached for comment Wednesday night said they had not been made aware of the liens.
"This is the first I've heard of it," said Sharon Malette. "We don't know anything about it. We have no comment."
Chateaugay Village Trustee Pat Dragon said the Village had not been notified of the liens placed on properties it owns on Sancomb Road. The liens on the village-owned property total $85,626.16.
"I don't know that there's a lot that we can do," Dragon said. "We need to get some answers. A lien is a lien, and we can't just make it go away. I can't see us paying the lien it's definitely more than we¹re making off the windmills."
When asked if the village had any projects that it hoped to fund with borrowed funds, Dragon said the village had been considering loans for a sewer system upgrade.
"This could affect the sewer project," she said. "It's definitely not something we can blow off."
Shari Spaulding said she and her husband were also not aware that the liens had been filed.
"I saw the article last week, but I wasn't aware that there was (a lien) put on our property," she said. "I'm not sure where this loophole was or how they could have put liens on my property. Things don't add up.
"It's something we saw coming. We saw the other liens. It could be that (the contractors) are just trying to get people to push Noble. I guess I can't blame the contractors for their wanting money."
Spaulding said she and her husband "haven't heard anything from Noble" regarding the liens or regarding any financial difficulties.
Noble Environmental Power entered into easement agreements with more than 50 area landowners in Franklin County for use of land for wind turbine development. The agreements specific to the liens were entered into by property owners and Noble Chateaugay Windpark LLC one of many Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) operated under Noble¹s umbrella.
Documents on file in the county clerk's office show at least 12 different LLCs under Noble's umbrella: Noble Bellmont Windpark LLC, Noble Burke Windpark LLC, Noble Chateaugay Windpark LLC, Noble Chateaugay II Windpark LLC, Noble Chateaugay LLC, Noble Chateaugay Windpark II LLC, Noble Cherry Hill Windpark LLC, Noble Clinton Windpark I LLC, Noble Development LLC, Noble Environmental Power LLC, Noble Constructors LLC, and Noble Environmental Power 2008 LLC. The LLCs are based in Delaware.
Web link: http://www.mtelegram.com/
http://www.windaction.org/news/20474
Noble liens hit 43 more properties
March 26, 2009 by Darcy Fargo in Malone Telegram
Just a week after it was first reported that mechanics liens had been filed on three area property owners on land used by Noble Environmental Power LLC, 43 more such documents were filed in the Franklin County Courthouse including two on the Village of Chateaugay.
On March 11, three liens filed by electrical contractor Stuart C. Irby Company of Jackson, Miss., indicated that Noble has not paid $784,692.88 for "electrical materials and equipment and related services in connection with the construction and installation of a wind turbine project known as ‘Noble Chateaugay Windpark, LLC' in the State of New York."
Late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the 43 new liens totaling just shy of $3 million were filed in the Franklin County Clerk's office.
While the lien documents are filed as a liability on Noble Chateaugay Windpark LLC and Noble Constructors LLC, they also include the property owners. The liens filed March 11 were on properties owned by Michael Garrow of Chateaugay; another is owned by Alonso Domingo of West Orange, N.J.; and the other is owned by Marjorie Cornell of Pawling, and Gary Cornell of York, Pa.
Garrow, the Cornells and Domingo are also named in the new liens, filed by Aristeo Construction Company of Livonia, Mich., for "excavation and backfill of soil, installation of steel and concrete foundation systems for placement of turbines, and erection and installation of turbine components." Also named in liens some property owners having liens filed on multiple easement properties are the Village of Chateaugay, Harrigan Brothers Dairy Farm, Timothy and Ellen Chase, John and Pamela Carroll, Kenneth and Bernice Dumont, Daniel Boadway, Clement and Jodene Lavoie, Edward Prechtl, Trainer Real Estate, William and Mary Jones, Peter and Linda Neveu, Kurt Peets, Thomas and Brenda Rabideau, John and Francois Cutting, Eugene and Kathy Lavoie, John Beckett, Shari Spaulding, Harry Otis, Ronald and Sandra Weaver, Bruce and Debra Bennett, St. Lawrence Valley Dairy Inc., Douglas and Sharon Malette, and Lloyd and Luciella Gillette. The individual liens range from $12,813 to $128,439.
Aristeo, in the documents it filed, said it performed a total of $26.63 million in work for Noble.
Having a lien on a property in addition to potentially damaging credit scores renders the owner unable to obtain a clear title to the property. It can also impact the owners' ability to obtain loans and lines of credit.
Every individual reached for comment Wednesday night said they had not been made aware of the liens.
"This is the first I've heard of it," said Sharon Malette. "We don't know anything about it. We have no comment."
Chateaugay Village Trustee Pat Dragon said the Village had not been notified of the liens placed on properties it owns on Sancomb Road. The liens on the village-owned property total $85,626.16.
"I don't know that there's a lot that we can do," Dragon said. "We need to get some answers. A lien is a lien, and we can't just make it go away. I can't see us paying the lien it's definitely more than we¹re making off the windmills."
When asked if the village had any projects that it hoped to fund with borrowed funds, Dragon said the village had been considering loans for a sewer system upgrade.
"This could affect the sewer project," she said. "It's definitely not something we can blow off."
Shari Spaulding said she and her husband were also not aware that the liens had been filed.
"I saw the article last week, but I wasn't aware that there was (a lien) put on our property," she said. "I'm not sure where this loophole was or how they could have put liens on my property. Things don't add up.
"It's something we saw coming. We saw the other liens. It could be that (the contractors) are just trying to get people to push Noble. I guess I can't blame the contractors for their wanting money."
Spaulding said she and her husband "haven't heard anything from Noble" regarding the liens or regarding any financial difficulties.
Noble Environmental Power entered into easement agreements with more than 50 area landowners in Franklin County for use of land for wind turbine development. The agreements specific to the liens were entered into by property owners and Noble Chateaugay Windpark LLC one of many Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) operated under Noble¹s umbrella.
Documents on file in the county clerk's office show at least 12 different LLCs under Noble's umbrella: Noble Bellmont Windpark LLC, Noble Burke Windpark LLC, Noble Chateaugay Windpark LLC, Noble Chateaugay II Windpark LLC, Noble Chateaugay LLC, Noble Chateaugay Windpark II LLC, Noble Cherry Hill Windpark LLC, Noble Clinton Windpark I LLC, Noble Development LLC, Noble Environmental Power LLC, Noble Constructors LLC, and Noble Environmental Power 2008 LLC. The LLCs are based in Delaware.
Web link: http://www.mtelegram.com/
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Maple Ridge Wind Farm has been a disaster
March 26, 2009 by Timothy Yancey in Watertown Daily Times
I reside in the center of the Maple Ridge Wind Farm on the Tug Hill Plateau. The part you don't see on a guided tour. When I look out my front door, I can count at least 151 405-foot turbines, thanks in part to Horizon Energy. This project has fragmented wildlife habitat, the community and our family along with several others that I know.
The monies received by leaseholders benefit very few compared to how many people these monsters have a great negative impact on. TV and radio reception are tremendously affected and many of us cannot get cable TV. Horizon and PPM's promises to mitigate this problem have not had any effect. The shadow flicker, noise, visual and light pollution have destroyed our quality of life that we treasured. We live there because it is where we grew up and enjoyed the benefits of the peacefulness and prestigious beauties that nature provided to us. Now we are in the center of a major industrial nightmare soon to be an industrial graveyard.
The $3 million plus PILOT payments have not reduced my land taxes or anyone else's that I have seen. I am the owner of two properties in the town of Lowville. My brothers have properties in Harrisburg and Martinsburg, the other two towns that encompass this disaster, and their taxes have also increased.
I realize that they promise great benefits to the town and residents. They did it here. They didn't deliver. Our streets are destroyed and continue to be as they run cranes and other heavy equipment almost daily to try to repair all of the broken turbines, which is obviously visible on a daily basis. Broken blades, failing mechanisms, nose cone that was thrown a great distance. Luckily no collapses yet like the one in Clinton County earlier this month. These have only been commissioned for three years in Phase 1 and two years for Phase 2. What will happen as they get older if they were failing after a year or less of operation?
It's all about money for the developers - the turbines are foreign-owned - so they can take our tax money back to their country.
I beg you not to allow this to happen in your community. It is not worth dividing families, the community and stripping the residents of their health, quality of life and American Dream. I realize the dollar signs are tempting, but it is not worth it.
Web link: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/2009032...
March 26, 2009 by Timothy Yancey in Watertown Daily Times
I reside in the center of the Maple Ridge Wind Farm on the Tug Hill Plateau. The part you don't see on a guided tour. When I look out my front door, I can count at least 151 405-foot turbines, thanks in part to Horizon Energy. This project has fragmented wildlife habitat, the community and our family along with several others that I know.
The monies received by leaseholders benefit very few compared to how many people these monsters have a great negative impact on. TV and radio reception are tremendously affected and many of us cannot get cable TV. Horizon and PPM's promises to mitigate this problem have not had any effect. The shadow flicker, noise, visual and light pollution have destroyed our quality of life that we treasured. We live there because it is where we grew up and enjoyed the benefits of the peacefulness and prestigious beauties that nature provided to us. Now we are in the center of a major industrial nightmare soon to be an industrial graveyard.
The $3 million plus PILOT payments have not reduced my land taxes or anyone else's that I have seen. I am the owner of two properties in the town of Lowville. My brothers have properties in Harrisburg and Martinsburg, the other two towns that encompass this disaster, and their taxes have also increased.
I realize that they promise great benefits to the town and residents. They did it here. They didn't deliver. Our streets are destroyed and continue to be as they run cranes and other heavy equipment almost daily to try to repair all of the broken turbines, which is obviously visible on a daily basis. Broken blades, failing mechanisms, nose cone that was thrown a great distance. Luckily no collapses yet like the one in Clinton County earlier this month. These have only been commissioned for three years in Phase 1 and two years for Phase 2. What will happen as they get older if they were failing after a year or less of operation?
It's all about money for the developers - the turbines are foreign-owned - so they can take our tax money back to their country.
I beg you not to allow this to happen in your community. It is not worth dividing families, the community and stripping the residents of their health, quality of life and American Dream. I realize the dollar signs are tempting, but it is not worth it.
Web link: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/2009032...
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Charges against wind companies upheld
By Phil Ray, pray@altoonamirror.com
POSTED: March 27, 2009
Email: "Charges against wind companies upheld"
HOLLIDAYSBURG - A Blair County judge has upheld all but two civil charges brought against two wind companies by a Juniata Township couple, who have complained that 40 wind turbines on Blue Knob Mountain are noisy and cause light to flicker in their home.
Unlike Don Quixote de la Mancha, Dr. Todd Stull and his wife, Jill, are not simply "titling at windmills" in their ongoing lawsuit against Gamesa Energy USA and Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm, Judge Daniel Milliron said.
In a lengthy opinion, Milliron dismissed negligence and conspiracy claims against Gamesa, the Spanish company that produced the windmills installed two years ago in Juniata and Greenfield townships in Blair County and Portage Township in Cambria County.
Milliron refused to strike a charge of fraudulent misrepresentation against Gamesa and a similar charge, plus others, against Allegheny Ridge.
One of the Stulls' attorneys, Bradley S. Tupi of Pittsburgh, said the charges that were dismissed will not prevent the Stulls from presenting their case.
The next step will be for Allegheny Ridge and Gamesa to answer the Stull lawsuit.
Milliron ruled the crux of the Stulls' civil case is against Allegheny Ridge because it involves the operation of the wind farm as opposed to the construction of the wind turbines.
Allegheny Ridge once was va subsidiary of Gamesa, but in 2007, Allegheny Ridge was sold to Babcock & Brown, an international investment group.
According to the lawsuit, Gamesa and Allegheny Ridge made assurances during the planning stages for the wind farm that the turbines would not be noisy and that a 2,000-foot setback requirement would be enough to protect home owners against intrusion.
The Stulls say the resulting noise, vibrations and flicker have caused them to lose sleep and to suffer anxiety and emotional distress.
Allegheny Ridge denies the noise from the wind farm is excessive.
The civil case is important because state and federal energy programs emphasize the development of wind energy, but wind energy brings with it environmental damage to streams, and wetlands and animals, Tupi said.
By Phil Ray, pray@altoonamirror.com
POSTED: March 27, 2009
Email: "Charges against wind companies upheld"
HOLLIDAYSBURG - A Blair County judge has upheld all but two civil charges brought against two wind companies by a Juniata Township couple, who have complained that 40 wind turbines on Blue Knob Mountain are noisy and cause light to flicker in their home.
Unlike Don Quixote de la Mancha, Dr. Todd Stull and his wife, Jill, are not simply "titling at windmills" in their ongoing lawsuit against Gamesa Energy USA and Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm, Judge Daniel Milliron said.
In a lengthy opinion, Milliron dismissed negligence and conspiracy claims against Gamesa, the Spanish company that produced the windmills installed two years ago in Juniata and Greenfield townships in Blair County and Portage Township in Cambria County.
Milliron refused to strike a charge of fraudulent misrepresentation against Gamesa and a similar charge, plus others, against Allegheny Ridge.
One of the Stulls' attorneys, Bradley S. Tupi of Pittsburgh, said the charges that were dismissed will not prevent the Stulls from presenting their case.
The next step will be for Allegheny Ridge and Gamesa to answer the Stull lawsuit.
Milliron ruled the crux of the Stulls' civil case is against Allegheny Ridge because it involves the operation of the wind farm as opposed to the construction of the wind turbines.
Allegheny Ridge once was va subsidiary of Gamesa, but in 2007, Allegheny Ridge was sold to Babcock & Brown, an international investment group.
According to the lawsuit, Gamesa and Allegheny Ridge made assurances during the planning stages for the wind farm that the turbines would not be noisy and that a 2,000-foot setback requirement would be enough to protect home owners against intrusion.
The Stulls say the resulting noise, vibrations and flicker have caused them to lose sleep and to suffer anxiety and emotional distress.
Allegheny Ridge denies the noise from the wind farm is excessive.
The civil case is important because state and federal energy programs emphasize the development of wind energy, but wind energy brings with it environmental damage to streams, and wetlands and animals, Tupi said.
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Pictures of Maple Ridge Wind "Farm":salaman wrote:Maple Ridge Wind Farm has been a disaster
March 26, 2009 by Timothy Yancey in Watertown Daily Times
I reside in the center of the Maple Ridge Wind Farm on the Tug Hill Plateau. The part you don't see on a guided tour. When I look out my front door, I can count at least 151 405-foot turbines, thanks in part to Horizon Energy. This project has fragmented wildlife habitat, the community and our family along with several others that I know.
The monies received by leaseholders benefit very few compared to how many people these monsters have a great negative impact on. TV and radio reception are tremendously affected and many of us cannot get cable TV. Horizon and PPM's promises to mitigate this problem have not had any effect. The shadow flicker, noise, visual and light pollution have destroyed our quality of life that we treasured. We live there because it is where we grew up and enjoyed the benefits of the peacefulness and prestigious beauties that nature provided to us. Now we are in the center of a major industrial nightmare soon to be an industrial graveyard.
The $3 million plus PILOT payments have not reduced my land taxes or anyone else's that I have seen. I am the owner of two properties in the town of Lowville. My brothers have properties in Harrisburg and Martinsburg, the other two towns that encompass this disaster, and their taxes have also increased.
I realize that they promise great benefits to the town and residents. They did it here. They didn't deliver. Our streets are destroyed and continue to be as they run cranes and other heavy equipment almost daily to try to repair all of the broken turbines, which is obviously visible on a daily basis. Broken blades, failing mechanisms, nose cone that was thrown a great distance. Luckily no collapses yet like the one in Clinton County earlier this month. These have only been commissioned for three years in Phase 1 and two years for Phase 2. What will happen as they get older if they were failing after a year or less of operation?
It's all about money for the developers - the turbines are foreign-owned - so they can take our tax money back to their country.
I beg you not to allow this to happen in your community. It is not worth dividing families, the community and stripping the residents of their health, quality of life and American Dream. I realize the dollar signs are tempting, but it is not worth it.
Web link: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/2009032...
http://www.windaction.org/pictures/19372
http://www.windaction.org/pictures/239
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
salaman wrote:Charges against wind companies upheld
By Phil Ray, pray@altoonamirror.com
POSTED: March 27, 2009
Email: "Charges against wind companies upheld"
HOLLIDAYSBURG - A Blair County judge has upheld all but two civil charges brought against two wind companies by a Juniata Township couple, who have complained that 40 wind turbines on Blue Knob Mountain are noisy and cause light to flicker in their home.
Thanks, Salaman.
Here's the link in case anyone wants to read the comments or make one:
http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/conte ... ml?nav=742
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
In the common pleas court of Blair County, Pennsylvaniasalaman wrote:Charges against wind companies upheld
By Phil Ray, pray@altoonamirror.com
POSTED: March 27, 2009
Email: "Charges against wind companies upheld"
HOLLIDAYSBURG - A Blair County judge has upheld all but two civil charges brought against two wind companies by a Juniata Township couple, who have complained that 40 wind turbines on Blue Knob Mountain are noisy and cause light to flicker in their home.
Unlike Don Quixote de la Mancha, Dr. Todd Stull and his wife, Jill, are not simply "titling at windmills" in their ongoing lawsuit against Gamesa Energy USA and Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm, Judge Daniel Milliron said.
In a lengthy opinion, Milliron dismissed negligence and conspiracy claims against Gamesa, the Spanish company that produced the windmills installed two years ago in Juniata and Greenfield townships in Blair County and Portage Township in Cambria County.
Milliron refused to strike a charge of fraudulent misrepresentation against Gamesa and a similar charge, plus others, against Allegheny Ridge.
One of the Stulls' attorneys, Bradley S. Tupi of Pittsburgh, said the charges that were dismissed will not prevent the Stulls from presenting their case.
The next step will be for Allegheny Ridge and Gamesa to answer the Stull lawsuit.
Milliron ruled the crux of the Stulls' civil case is against Allegheny Ridge because it involves the operation of the wind farm as opposed to the construction of the wind turbines.
Allegheny Ridge once was va subsidiary of Gamesa, but in 2007, Allegheny Ridge was sold to Babcock & Brown, an international investment group.
According to the lawsuit, Gamesa and Allegheny Ridge made assurances during the planning stages for the wind farm that the turbines would not be noisy and that a 2,000-foot setback requirement would be enough to protect home owners against intrusion.
The Stulls say the resulting noise, vibrations and flicker have caused them to lose sleep and to suffer anxiety and emotional distress.
Allegheny Ridge denies the noise from the wind farm is excessive.
The civil case is important because state and federal energy programs emphasize the development of wind energy, but wind energy brings with it environmental damage to streams, and wetlands and animals, Tupi said.
TODD STULL AND JILL STULL
Plaintiff,
v.
GAMESA ENERGY USA, LLC and
ALLEGHENY RIDGE WIND FARM, LLC
Defendants
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF (partial list)
14. Some of the industrial wind turbines are as close as 2,400 feet from Plaintiffs' home.
15. Before the wind turbines were erected, Plaintiff's property was a quiet, rural location where the predominant sounds were those of songbirds and leaves blowing in the wind. Defendants' wind turbines have destroyed the peaceful environment formerly enjoyed by Plaintiffs and their neighbors.
16. During windy conditions, the mechanical turbines become extremely noisy. The turbine blades make a "whooshing" sound almost like jet aircraft, except that the sound is cyclical, alternating louder and softer over short intervals. The turning of the industrial wind turbine hub housings to face the wind (or otherwise) makes a piercing, screeching, metal-on-metal noise.
17. The noises from the turning turbine blades can last many hours or even days. The noises from the turning of the hub housings are of shorter duration. The noises occur during daytime and nighttime. The noises are unpredictable and are generated without notice to Plaintiffs. The noises are audible inside Plaintiffs' home, even with windows closed.
18. The turbine noises interfere with Plaintiffs' sleep. Since the operation of the industrial wind energy facility began, Plaintiffs have not been able to sleep with their windows open, and even with windows closed Plaintiffs use an indoor fan to create "white noise" in a vain effort to cancel out the noise of the mechanical turbines outside.
19. The mechanical turbines also generate disturbing, low-frequency vibration that adversely affects the Stulls and their property. Both the audible noise and the vibrations, either individually or collectively, make Dr. Stull so uncomfortable that he often cannot sleep at night. Sometimes he goes down into an unheated cellar to try to find a quiet place to sleep.
20. Dr. Stull has experienced stress, anxiety and frequent disruptions of his sleep as a result of the noisy wind turbines.
21. The turbines' noises have a negative effect on Plaintiffs' enjoyment of their property and quality of life. The noises disrupt Plaintiffs' efforts to entertain guests on their property. The noises disturb Plaintiffs' use of their property for all outdoor family activities including hiking, hunting and other recreation.
22. Upon information and belief, the turbines' noises have diminished Plaintiffs' property value.
23. The turbine blades also create a disturbing "flicker" effect as they turn in the light of the setting sun. This also adversely affects the Stulls and their use and enjoyment of their property, including watching birds and wildlife, and hunting.
24. In order to induce state and local officials to grant permits and approvals necessary for construction of the industrial wind project, Defendants Gamesa and Allegheny represented that the wind turbines would be quiet. Those representations were false.
25. Plaintiffs relied upon Defendants' misrepresentations inter alia, by declining to oppose permits for the industrial wind energy project, by declining to appeal various local and state approvals of the project and by declining to sue to halt the project.
26. After the industrial wind energy facility was constructed, Plaintiffs complained about the turbine noises. Defendants offer various unsatisfactory explanations. Sometimes Defendants asserted that there simply were no noises. On other occasions, Defendants said that the turbine blades were defective and needed to be replaced. Defendants allegedly replaced the tape on the blades in January 2008, but the noises continued.
27. At various times, Plaintiffs have measured the noises from the turbines on Plaintiffs' property in excess of 70 decibels.
28. Defendants' conduct is ongoing, and Plaintiffs' harm is ongoing.
Count VII Injunctive Relief
55. The averments of the preceding paragraphs are incorporated by reference.
56. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief to abate the nuisance and violations caused by Defendants' design, construction and operation of the wind turbines.
57. Plaintiffs are likely to prevail on the merits.
58. Plaintiffs are suffering immediate and irreparable harm, including ongoing personal injuries, anxiety, and emotional distress.
59. Money damages or other remedies at law are inadequate. Money damages cannot restore the peace and quiet Plaintiffs enjoyed on their property before the industrial turbines were built, and cannot free Plaintiffs from the constant anxiety and physical and emotional distress they suffer as a result of Defendants' conduct. Plaintiffs should not be forced either to continue to suffer these invasions or to move out of their home.
60. A balancing of the equities weighs in Plaintiffs' favor because, inter alia Defendants obtained permits for the industrial wind project based upon misrepresentation that the mechanical turbines would cause no noise.
61. A balancing of the equities weighs in Plaintiffs' favor because Plaintiffs relied upon Defendant' misrepresentation, inter alia, by declining to oppose permits required for the industrial wind energy project, by declining to appeal various local and state approvals of the project and by declining to sue to halt the project.
62. Consideration of the public interest weighs in Plaintiffs' favor because, inter alia, Defendants obtained permits for the industrial wind power plant complex based upon misrepresentations that the mechanical turbines would cause no noise. The industrial wind power plant complex not only affects Plaintiffs, but Plaintiffs' community.
63. Consideration of the public interest weighs in Plaintiffs' favor because Art. 1, Sec. 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution provides that "The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment." Defendants' conduct has robbed Plaintiffs of the natural scenic and esthetic values of their environment at Pine Springs Farm.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand injunctive relief against Defendants to abate the nuisance caused by the offending industrial wind power turbines, together with costs and such other and further relief as the Court deems just.
TUCKER ARENSBERG, P.C.
Bradley S. Tupi, Esquire
William Haberstroh, Esquire
Attorneys for Plaintiffs,
Todd and Jill Stull
Download File(s):
StullvsGamesa.pdf (236.46 kB)
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Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
With all the above said.... what a terrible, terrible, shame to put these people thru this. These people, who have paid their taxes and worked hard all their life in order to have a beautiful home. I'm quite sure it was the perfect little corner of the world for them.... tranquility, peace and quiet at it's best. Then something like this happens !! It's so very sad... and look what they are facing now... hem-hawing around about who built the farm and who's fault is this now...The Noise ??!! What noise ??!! Makes you wonder, do they think these people are just making this up ??!! These people aren't after a hand-out... they are educated individuals who work hard for their money !!! These people don't need a decible meter to tell them what the "noise factor" is !! These people know what noise and disturbances are !! They know what it is doing to their health and well being... they HAVE to live with it everyday !!!... Anybody, with common sense can see the flicker and hear the noise, doesn't matter what decible we are talking about !! These people are now being disturbed in their, at one time, peaceful, quiet, setting, by something that does not work, will not last, and should not be built anywhere in this corner of the world !!! Somebody out there is having a good time soaking up all this money, sitting back and laughing, as they continue to destroy our very forests and life as we know it.. above and under the canopy.
Gamesa built the farm, than sold the farm... which is exactly what is going to happen here !!! Gamasa is outa' there, (and everwhere else they built a farm), once the farm is "operational." So, whenever that someone buys the mess they will then become "responsible." Then more hem-hawing, twisting of words and meanings of signed contracts begin again !!! They are sooooo good at this !!!! Especially the big "G" !!! Get in there, Get 'em up, Get out !!!
Our council let us down.... WOW, what a total disappointment I absolutely cannot believe that!!! Let's hope and pray the township doesn't change it's ordinance and that there are more people paying attention here. I doubt it... people around here are too busy trying to make a living, I bet there are some people around here afraid to speak up.... especially, if they have a business, and/or, are "someone" in town, or to the town, who people would listen to and would really count big-time, but, afraid to rock their own little boat !! Only time will tell.
Gamesa built the farm, than sold the farm... which is exactly what is going to happen here !!! Gamasa is outa' there, (and everwhere else they built a farm), once the farm is "operational." So, whenever that someone buys the mess they will then become "responsible." Then more hem-hawing, twisting of words and meanings of signed contracts begin again !!! They are sooooo good at this !!!! Especially the big "G" !!! Get in there, Get 'em up, Get out !!!
Our council let us down.... WOW, what a total disappointment I absolutely cannot believe that!!! Let's hope and pray the township doesn't change it's ordinance and that there are more people paying attention here. I doubt it... people around here are too busy trying to make a living, I bet there are some people around here afraid to speak up.... especially, if they have a business, and/or, are "someone" in town, or to the town, who people would listen to and would really count big-time, but, afraid to rock their own little boat !! Only time will tell.
Re: Windmills on Ice Mountain - Gamesa Wind Turbines
Been 'out' for a while. Is Snyder Township having a meeting on April 6th that this topic is being discussed? I have that stuck in my head from 'somewhere'. Would like to attend or get someone I know to attend so I can see what Snyder Townships' decision will be on the watershed area. thanx.