Phone Interview About Noble

Phone interview with Dick, from Dicks Country Store in Churubusco NY.

Store is located within Noble Wind Farm on Route 11.

(Responses not word for word, unless quoted)

Q-What were the largest outcry's from the public against the wind farms before they were put up?
A-Many issues were addressed including noise, bird deaths, visual appearance and the change of the landscape. " The only two legitimate complaints were the visual change of the landscape and the noise, which is very, very, very minimal. There are 4 turbines directly around the store and we never hear them from inside.""The bird deaths concern was put out after the first year when they found only a couple dead birds under the turbines throughout the whole year."

Q-Since the wind farm has been put in, has the local support for wind power gained strength or lost strength?
A-The support has gained since, as no real issues have arisen. "Our town had virtually no industry before this, and while they were being built many jobs were created, and now many land owners are better off and taxes are lower in the town." The town is about 700 people, and only 8-10 were opposing and bringing up concerns. "Those 8-10 people are still opposed, but it seems that everyone who was on the fence about the issue and just let it happen, now support the farm fully."

Q-Has there been any major issues as far as safety or wildlife disturbances?
A-No real issues have come up, other than a turbine catching fire in January. "The turbine fire was later found to be an electrical fire due to improper wiring, and had nothing to do with the design of the turbine." The turbines don't seem to effect wildlife, and in some cases encourage wildlife. "I have a few turbines on my property, and I constantly see deer eating the clover that Noble seeded the roadsides and areas around the turbines with. Usually I see the deer directly under the turbines, it doesn't seem to bother them one bit"