Wind turbine proposal stirs island debate

Will a wind turbine with a 213-foot tower near Welshpool, Campobello, cause a loss in real estate values and possibly bring about health issues? Art and Cheryl Lindgren of Vinalhaven warn that it might. Addressing a group of about 40 people at St. Anne's Church hall on March 31, Lindgren said that the home they say they have abandoned is "now worthless," because of continuous low‑frequency sound generated by a 1.5-megawatt turbine 2,500 feet away. Cheryl Lindgren observed that her husband suffered a heart attack subsequent to the installation, stating that his cardiologist confirmed that the noise "may have been a factor."
Both Lindgrens told the group that, prior to the installation, they had been assured that the noise would be inaudible but that their experience had proven otherwise. To demonstrate the noise, Lindgren played a recording he had made, but he admitted that the recording did not capture the "swoosh, swoosh" noise he claims prevents sleep.
Sherry Johnston, acting as spokesperson for the ad hoc group opposing the Welshpool installation, states that their petition has collected 103 signatures. According to Johnston, there are "between four and five hundred" individuals qualified to sign the petition, which has been circulating only a short time.
In a subsequent release, Johnston calls for a council‑supported public meeting regarding the proposed installation, charging, "The turbine has been slipped through initial approvals without proper public information or discussion." According to Johnston, "The vast majority of Welshpoolers oppose the turbine." Legal action is under consideration, according to the release, which cites "foreign interests" as backing the proposal.
"This turbine could overshadow the Herring Cove golf course, threaten operation of the Whale Watch Motel and other businesses, and disturb many residents," says Corliss Calder, a council candidate for Welshpool in upcoming elections. When a blade is at its height, it would be 82 metres from the ground to the top, or nearly 270 feet high.
Campobello Mayor Stephen Smart disputes the number of signatures on the petition. Smart states that only original signatures are acceptable, and since the petition had already been submitted to the council, more could not be added to the original 97. He also says that irregularities had been noted so that "maybe there were 75."
The proposed location of the single 0.75-megawatt turbine is on property owned by Michael Bridges of Whiting and sited just north of the facility now housing the town offices, near the south end of Harbour de Loutre. Concerning the allegations of secrecy surrounding the plans, Bridges says, "I don't know where they get off saying that. When I spoke at the council meeting in August and described all of my plans, there were at least a half dozen people sitting behind me."
Smart also disputes complaints that the process has excluded public review and comment. "Our first meeting was last August," Smart says, adding that there had been several more since that time, and that "all residents were sent a letter" inviting participation. "Except for the park, the entire island is zoned 'multiple use,'" Smart points out, observing that within current zoning requirements the council has no legal basis on which to reject the proposal, stating, "If the council denied the permit, we could be sued personally." According to Smart, during the recent incorporation of Campobello, more restrictive zoning was suggested, but local pressure ultimately resulted in the multiple-use designation, under which the proposed turbine is deemed permissible.
Regarding the health concerns raised by the Lindgrens, Smart says, "I don't know about that. The provincial authorities will have to deal with that." The provincial government is responsible for licensing of the project, which proposes to sell the power generated into the NB Power grid.
Bridges says he reviewed a number of studies in Europe, "where they've been doing this for 30 years," that addressed the issue of "infrasound," or very low frequency sound that cannot be heard. "There's no scientific evidence for any of these health claims," states Bridges.
Bridges adds that it's his opinion that the Vinalhaven installation that the Lindgrens complained about "was a good example of corporate greed," because of the installation of three large turbines in what he believes to be too small an area.
Bridges also points out that he has been in contact with Campobello boatbuilders about the possibility of having them construct turbine blades for both local use and for export.