By Will Collette
Note: a version of this letter to the editor ran in the Nov. 14 Westerly Sun.
The letter published in the Sun on November 9, written by Charlestown Planning Commissioners Ruth Platner and George Tremblay in support of their proposed residential wind energy ordinance was largely a piece of disinformation.
The proposed now enacted ordinance, which is coming came up for a vote on November 14, would make it virtually impossible for any Charlestown
Here’s why. First, if you want to a very small wind generator for home use, of 1 kilowatt or less and shorter than 35 feet off the ground or, for a home-mounted generator, ten feet above your roofline, you have to get a building permit .
To get a building permit for a wind generator of any size or type:
1. The unit must generate no more electricity than is consumed by the homeowner.
2. The homeowner must provide a Site plan with the following detail:
a. A map of the property showing property lines,
b. location of structures and dwellings,
c. the site of the wind generator,
d. location of overhead utility lines and
e. compliance with setback requirements
3. The homeowner must provide ENGINEERING DETAILS AND SPECIFICATIONS that must include:
a. Blueprints and drawings stamped by a Rhode Island-licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) showing compliance with building and electrical codes, detailed specifications on the wind generator and its mounting system from its manufacturer and
b. A copy of your application to tie the system to the energy grid if that is your intention.
4. The homeowner must provide a NEIGHBORHOOD SOUND IMPACT ANALYSIS that must include
a. “manufacturers’ documentation of the sound levels generated by the turbine under various wind conditions and at serial distances from the turbine to allow estimation of sound level at the property line.”
5. SETBACK: for home-mounted units, the setback is the distance to the property line, plus the height of the wind generator.
a. The sound setback is set to prevent any sound exceeding 45 decibels in daytime or 35 db at night from crossing the property line.
6. APPEARANCE: if the wind generator is 35 or more feet off the ground:
a. It must be painted a neutral, non-reflective color,
b. No signs other than legally required warning signs.
c. No lights.
d. No poles or towers other than monopoles.
e. Wiring must be buried.
7. All residential wind energy facilities must have a braking system
8. There must be a 10 foot clearance between the lowest swing of the blades and the ground.
9. You may not place bird feeders, bird baths or bird houses near the generator.
10. You may not place the generator near a barn or other structure known to harbor bats.
11. You must maintain the generator in good condition.
12. You may not make any modifications to the system that alters its height, sound or energy output without first securing additional town approval.
13. You may be cited, shut down or fined by the town Building
These requirements are designed to ensure that no homeowner in Charlestown
It is dishonest for our Planning Commission and the Town Council majority to pretend that this proposed ordinance is a “balancing” of interests. It is a ban on wind energy. Period. Except they lack the honesty and the guts to admit it.