Students suffering from wind turbine noise

Author: Mulvaney, William | Health, Illinois, Noise

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Dear Chairman [Gary] Weinard,

My name is Bill Mulvaney and I am the Superintendent of Schools for Armstrong Township High School and Armstrong-Ellis CUD #61. I also served on the wind panel that met to try and give direction to the county board on wind turbine ordinances. Our panel did not come up with any recommended changes, but I would like to share a few thoughts with you.

I have noticed that we have some children in our district that appear to be having some medical issues related to the wind turbines. Headaches, lack of sleep and jaw issues seem to be the most common. The students also complain about not being able to sleep or not getting a full night’s sleep due to sound issues.

We have also been advised that we will be losing a couple of families because the wind turbines were placed close to homes and the families can no longer handle the flicker and noise issues.

While these issues were brought up at our panel discussions, I was not fully aware of the impact that the wind turbines would have to my school districts. It is never a good thing when children have health issues or families have to leave their homes to get away from the turbines. The revenue generated by the turbines is a blessing to our schools, but the unintended consequences are real.

I hope this letter sheds some light on real issues that affect districts that house wind farms. I also hope that when ordinances are discussed in the future, that these issues are considered.

Sincerely,
~~~
William C. Mulvaney
Superintendent
Armstrong Schools

[date unknown; read to the Vermilion County Board, October 8, 2013]

[Western Vermilion County hosts, with eastern Champaign County, the California Ridge wind energy facility, mostly in Pilot Township. The facility comprises 134 1.6-MW GE turbines spread over almost 27,700 acres (~129 acres per installed megawatt) and began full operation in December 2012. They are facing a second facility, called Hoopeston although it would be near Rossville, in the more northeast part of the county. This facility is planned to comprise 43 2.3-MW Siemens turbines.]

Download original document: “Letter to Vermilion County Board about wind turbine noise effects on students”

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