Board lowers wind farm noise limit
The Board of Environmental Protection yesterday narrowly approved new noise levels for wind farms to quiet the turbines at night.
The board voted 5-4 in favor of reducing overnight noise limits for wind farms from 45 to 42 decibels, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. The new rules, however, will not apply to existing or approved projects. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection had advocated for another public hearing to gain comments on the proposed change, but the BEP's vote overrode that. The DEP nonetheless said it supports the BEP's decision. "We believe this is a balanced standard that honors the concerns expressed by some citizens by lowering the level while giving wind developers a clear and predictable path for their projects and achievable and sustainable standards," DEP spokeswoman Samantha DePoy-Warren said in a statement. The Legislature must approve the change, at which point the BEP will give it final approval.
Wind turbine noise has been contentious in a few communities, including the island of Vinalhaven, where a citizens' group has filed a petition fighting the DEP's order allowing Fox Islands Wind to operate with current sound standards.
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