Forum on Commercial Wind Farm Issues

A Panel of experts brought together by AFFEW, West Shore Community College and GLREA, to answer county residents’ questions on wind turbine impacts

The local environmental education non-profit AFFEW (A Few Friends for the Environment of the World), the West Shore Community College Green Team and the Michigan non-profit GLREA (Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association) have brought together a panel of experts, to share current scientific research and observational findings on how commercial wind farms impact human and wildlife populations as well as properties where they operate.

The forum will run on March 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in West Shore Community College’s Center Stage Theatre in the Arts and Sciences Center.

AFFEW, the Green Team and GLREA have recruited scientific research and engineering experts as well as a resident living in the Stoney Corners wind farm in McBain, MI, as panelists to speak about current research findings and address general topic and audience questions during the forum.

Participating in the forum are Dr. Robert McCunney, MD, Research Scientist at the MIT Department of Biological Engineering and on staff at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Erik Nordman, Principal Investigator, GVSU Natural Resources Management Program, Dr. Jerry Punch, MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Mr. Ben Hoen, economist on staff with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and Mr. Joe Behrn, area resident in McBain, MI.

The forum will begin with a presentation by the researchers on their most recent scientific findings. It will be followed by a Q&A session to be moderated by Dr. Sonja Siewert, chemistry professor at West Shore Community College with members of AFFEW and GLREA assisting in gathering audience questions.

Community interest has developed in Mason County over Consumers Energy’s proposed Lake Winds Energy Park in Riverton and Summit Townships, and residents have questions about turbine noise, vibration levels, and whether they could be harmful to neighbors.

Concerns have also been raised over turbine impact on local or migrating bird and bat populations, and the likelihood/mitigation of shadow flicker from sun behind turbine blades. Citizens further want to understand how other Michigan counties are implementing changes to zoning, and what can be learned from their experiences.

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For background reading consider

1. Wind Turbines and Health: A Rapid Review of the Evidence; July 2010

2.  Wind Turbine Interactions with Birds, Bats, and their Habitats: A Summary of Research Results and Priority Questions; Spring 2010.

3. Assessing Impacts of Wind-Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats: A Guidance Document, National Wind Coordinating Committee 2009

4. Wind Energy Deployment: Global Lessons for West Michigan, GVSU West Michigan Wind Assessment Issue Brief #1

5.  Wind Power and Human Health: Flicker, Noise and Air Quality; August 2010

6.  Two Acoustic Scientists Explain Infrasound, Michigan Land Use Institute

7.  Shadow Flicker Assessment from Spicer Hill Wind Farm, Arcus Renewable Energy Consulting, UK, 2009

8.  Report on the Impact of Setback Requirements and Noise Limitations in Wind Zones in Michigan, Michigan PSC 2010

9.  Summary Report: Literature Search on the Potential Health Impact Associated with Wind-to-Energy Turbine Operations; Ohio Department of Health, March 2008

For directions to the College and a  campus map, click here.

For more information, call Jill Budzynski, AFFEW, 231-462-9436 or email jmb@marketready.com