The potential to save $450,000 in energy costs by installing two industrial turbines near Varian is definitely an exciting prospect. But just to put this into some perspective (pun intended), we all need to be prepared for the visual impact of these turbines. They are massive, measuring 404-feet in height, taller than the Statue of Liberty. Here’s a depiction of a 418-foot turbine next to the Statue of Liberty:
Wow. For a little extra amusement, check out you tube videos of industrial turbines being brought in on trucks – this sight alone should make for some local excitement as these massive pieces of equipment are installed. The video featured below is of a 1.5 megawatt turbine, significantly smaller than the 2.0 megawatt turbines being installed in Gloucester.
Good Morning Gloucester 
as i recollect, the outfit installing these needed to spend 5 or 10% of their budget by Jan 1st to qualify for all the state and federal bennies to kick in? probably some magic paperwork going on as we speak, but they could have ordered sebastian’s pizza for every man woman and child on cape ann and covered it nicely. still waiting for my mushroom pepperoni…
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I think I’d rather have Sebastian’s…
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It’s not as much of an eyesore on the landscape as you think it will be.
The one at MWRA on the fringes of Everett does not offend me. I’d rather see that than a smokestack any day.
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Seeing a 400-foot turbine set against the urban skyline of Everett/Boston is an ENTIRELY different matter than viewing two 404-foot structures against Cape Ann’s skyline, unspoiled by any 40-story structure, whether we’re talking smokestacks or turbines – both of which are just byproducts of industrialization by the way. My point is that people should be prepared for an altered landscape and for the fact that a 2.0 megawatt turbine is NOT a romanticized version of an overgrown windmill but a massive piece of industrialized equipment that will be seen from any vantage point on the Cape. Whether you care about this or not is your business.
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I completely agree and find it sad that the obstructionists who will use a height restriction to thwart development on just about anything but once you slap a green use to it they look the other way.
Paint some whales, or dolphins on it and it should pass right through with nary an afterthought.
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People tend to romanticize these massive turbines because they are feel-good projects – they get a little confused about what is actually involved in wind energy on this scale. Big Wind is industry, just like all the other conventional energy-related industries. And wind power has to be backed by conventional energy sources anyway, so unfortunately we have to have nasty looking substations and tons of power lines and all sorts of unsightly electricity-related equipment to go along with those 40-story turbines. Just a reality. Maybe you could organize a GMG- sponsored turbine paint-a-thon? It would be great to see an artist harnessed to a 100-foot long turbine blade!
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I have friends on the other Cape who want to move away from the windmill that was placed in their neighborhood. It is the low frequency noise that travels and keeps them up at night. Hope these don’t do that but they are bigger than the Falmouth windmills.
I would rather have a mushroom sausage Sebastian’s
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The low frequency noise is definitely an issue for some people. In parts of Europe setbacks of nearly a mile between industrial turbines and residences are now recommended. It’s really interesting to google “Wind Turbine Syndrome” (yes, I realize the name sounds a little nuts) to learn more about this. At least Gloucester’s industrial turbines will be located in an industrial park instead of in a neighborhood, so that’s something.
As far as the pizza is concerned, you and Fred could have a Mushroom Sausage vs. Mushroom Pepperoni vs. 404-foot Turbine competition. If the powers that be taste Sebastian’s, maybe they’ll abandon the whole tax-subsidized project and decide to spend our money on pizza! Woo hoo!
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Just watched some of the folks who live near turbines in Falmouth being interviewed about how their health has declined since the erection of these towers and really hope the same doesn’t happen to you all.
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I read in The GD Times that these massive turbines are to arrive during the week of Sept 17 (2012). That’s this week! Anything arriving down on the docks yet? You can’t miss them. They’re the big hunks of white metal on oversize load trucks that the cops are shutting down the roads to accommodate. They’ll need to be transported from Cruiseport to Varian. Other communities have had to repair roads afterwards due to the extreme weight. I hope this all works out for the best, but I fear we’re all in for a shocker. “Wow, that really IS big.”, “They told me they were big, but I didn’t know they were THAT big!”. “I’m so tired of that whoosh, whoosh, whoosh and the shadows and flicker! I’m losing my mind!” I truly hope for the best, but have my doubts. Warnings were given, but not heeded. They tended to listen more to “expert opinions” provided by the wind industry.
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This industry is a total nightmare. Most wind companies are as irresponsible as any other Big Energy source but as you point out, you’re not going to get the facts from the industry itself or the “green” faction – who willfully bury their heads in the sand on this. Still can’t believe other Cape Ann communities get no say in erecting 40-story structures in terms of sight lines. Thanks for your input – sounds like you speak from experience.
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