Late Sunday Notes

Well a quick flip through this morning’s paper gives one some serious stuff upon which to reflect. But sitting out on the deck, on what is a truly gorgeous morning and sipping some pretty good coffee, it’s hard to get worked up about much.

If you are from Fairhaven though, the stories on the turbines and the related noise study and the infrasound issue has to cause one to think about how this matter is long from over. This despite the fact that I do believe the "sound" study to be conducted by the state will be the first nail in the coffin for one side or the other.

The thing to remember these are two turbines, big ones, and it will take really big coffins to bury them. Lots of nails needed. 


Why will the findings from the state not put the matter to rest?


First off, a finding either way is going to result in a claim of a flawed study. If you read to the two pieces in today's S-T you can discover that for yourself. Definite potential for lawsuits too.


Yet a finding of a violation of the audible noise standard will be accompanied by a loud bang from the hammer striking the nail head. Could be wrong on what I am about to say, but I doubt the financial projections for this project take into account any significant curtailment of operation.


You will see legal wrangling for at least a few years over the findings, any orders of conditions for operations, etc. It will be the beginning of a long death watch I think.


What if the findings show no violation?


Been a question I have heard asked watching some meetings lately. More significantly, what are you going to do to mitigate the problem if there isn't a noise violation?


Well I hazard a guess that the question itself is the nail, and the answer to it is the hammer. If there is no violation, there is no need for mitigation. At least on the issue of audible noise.


Not sure how to put that any other way. 


There will also certainly be the claim of flawed studies. Who knows, might be able to show that, but I think it is going to take substantially more than a review and a claim by some know quantities to date. 


But, you cannot force someone to mitigate a violation that doesn't exist.


Certainly one can expect a continued fight on other fronts. But the "noise you can hear" argument will be done. Assessing it simply from an observational perspective, the loss of that argument would be probably be fatal.

There would still be a few matters that would have to be dealt with.  The lease issue as to the land description is based on legal principals and has nothing to do with noise, but will still have to be resolved.  There is the infrasound issue, and indeed the flawed study argument will involve the lack of an infrasound study.

This issue will in fact be around for some time to come. Make no mistake, infrasound exists.

How to deal with it is going to be a question I can't even hazard a guess at (simply banning the turbines isn't going to be an option, even just as related to this project. A standard on infrasound will have significant ramifications. Might that be needed, quite possibly? But keep in mind turbines are not the only things that produce infrasound. I would think the government would tread very carefully on this issue).

But another mistake not to make is simply dismissing that argument. I think the issue could prolong the struggle, but based on what is out there today, it won't change the result.

Shifting directions just a tad ...


Interesting tidbit overheard during the last B of H meeting, when there was some discussion on the complaint process for the turbines. If you saw the meeting, I would be interested in knowing of anyone else heard something that they thought might make it difficult to assess the complaints, and actually might work against the opposition to the turbines. 


A bit of a tease, but I want to see if others picked up on it rather than simply point it out. It leads to one of those "maybe it is just me, but ..." moments.


Up at bat ...


Well no selectmen's meeting until July 16th, so that is going to make for a lack of easy material.  The plus side is there is always something in the old files that can be recycled and put to good use.


Got an invite in the mail yesterday afternoon for a spot in the reviewing stands for the big parade.  Seems someone is interested in recycling us old has beens for the pomp and circumstance.  


As far as the parade, it really should be a good one.  Right now the long range forecast is for good weather.  Looks like a good week for the many events going on.


One last note ...

F sharp.