Mon, Jan 11, 2010
Planned Structure Is 5.5 Miles From New Bedford Regional
Airport
One of two wind turbines proposed by the city of Dartmouth,
Massachusetts could interfere with air navigation, the FAA has told
the city. The FAA said that the planned 462 foot structure "exceeds
obstruction standards and/or would have an adverse physical or
electromagnetic interference" for aircraft approaching new Bedford
Regional Airport.
According to Southcoast Today, the FAA recommends lowering the
overall height of the structure to 417 feet from blade tip to base,
or, if an independent analysis of the terrain meets with FAA
approval, reducing the structure to 428 feet.
The FAA ruling applies only to the north turbine. The agency is
still considering the south structure. Dr. Ronald DiPippo, chairman
of the town's Alternative Energy Committee, told the paper the
height of the pole to the hub would have to be reduced 35 feet to
meet the 428 foot maximum. Select Board Chairman Joseph L. Michaud
said the town will conduct a site survey and attempt to win FAA
approval the taller tower. He said he expects the south turbine to
be approved at 462 feet because it is further from the airport.
DiPippo said the town expects to save over $500,000 in the first
year in energy costs by constructing the two turbines on land the
municipality owns. But, he said, that would have been about
$100,000 more if the taller tower could have been built.
The paper reports that the council members are not entirely
surprised the FAA came back proposing changes. "We figured there
would be some adjustments to the project," Michaud said. "It's not
a major adjustment and it should be more favorable with the people
who have concerns about the height."
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