FAQs

  • This varies by location. Maple Harvest is committed to protecting wildlife and surrounding natural habitats and is completing pre-development studies and consulting wildlife experts to minimize impacts on surrounding wildlife. A common concern is the welfare of local bird populations, however the MIT Climate Portal explains that land-based wind turbines are one of the lowest contributors to bird deaths in comparison to the number of birds being killed by cats or by flying into buildings. More information about potential effects on wildlife can be found on the environmental impacts page from the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.

  • There is no evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to wind turbines. The most comprehensive study of possible health detriments completed to date was done by Health Canada (the Canadian equivalent to the US Department of Health and Human Services) and was based on objective health measurements and surveys as opposed to self-reported symptoms. The summary of results from this study contains more details and determines that exposure to wind turbine noise was not observed to be related to blood pressure, measured sleep or resting heart rate, or hair cortisol concentrations.

    In a broader sense, the transition towards renewable energy provides overall health benefits to humans. Fossil fuel power plants produce carbon emissions and air pollutants that are proven to negatively impact human health, so replacing these with clean energy sources is a step forward for overall human health.

  • Wind turbines do not release emissions that pollute the air or water, and do not require water for cooling. By offsetting energy generation from fossil fuels, wind energy results in lower overall air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

    Regarding the immediate environment of the facility: rigorous siting, testing, and analysis is completed throughout the entire project development process to ensure minimal environmental impact to the facility site.

  • Yes, the main components of a wind turbine are made of steel. Other metal components, such as copper wiring, are also regularly recycled.

    Many people are curious about what happens to the blades, as the blades are primarily fiberglass. As more modern wind turbine blades are being removed or replaced, blade recycling is popping up as a new industry. Here’s an example.

  • Wind is a clean, free, abundant, and domestic source of renewable energy. It does not need to be mined, shipped, or combusted, and it does not emit harmful greenhouse gases or air pollutants.

    Wind energy is the process by which wind turbines convert the kinetic energy, or movement, of wind into electricity

  • No, it will not. Wind energy is the cheapest form of energy available as it is both domestic and abundant, and does not have any associated fuel or air pollution costs like coal and natural gas do.

  • The wind flows over turbine blades, causing them to turn. This motion spins a shaft that connects to a generator, which produces electricity. The major components of a wind turbine are the blades, the nacelle, and the tower. Three blades make up the rotor. They are made of carbon and fiberglass and are aerodynamically designed to capture wind efficiently while still being light and flexible enough to withstand a wide range of environmental circumstances and conditions

  • Yes! Wind turbines have an excellent safety record, and modern turbines are employed with equipment and setbacks that ensure the safest scenario for all involved. You can read a little bit more about the process of safely siting turbines in section 2.8 of Land-Based Wind Energy Siting: A Foundational and Technical Resource, published by the US Department of Energy. This resource contains many other helpful facts and guidelines about how wind projects are developed.

  • Modern wind turbines are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions like high winds and icing events. The turbines are equipped with technology to stop operations under conditions that could potentially cause damage to the equipment or the surrounding area.

  • Shadow flicker is a phenomenon associated with wind turbines in which the sun is low on the horizon and shining through the turbine blades, casting a moving shadow. If the shadow falls on a building or home, it can cause the perception of a repeating flicker of light through windows. Because there is a precise angle that the sun must be at to create flicker, the effect occurs in limited locations, and for a predictable period of the year.

    Maple Harvest will complete a flicker study and limit flicker to 30 hours per year at non-participating residences.