On Dec. 16, I attended an appeals hearing in Woodstock involving the Patriots Wind Project on Spruce Mountain. At issue is when the Woodstock Planning Board approved the project. State law holds that an appeal must be made within 30 days of approval of a project.

On Nov. 19, 2009, following a public hearing, the Planning Board gave an OK for the site plan. On Jan. 5, 2010, it agreed on a noise level that was below state limits, but deferred to the Department of Environmental Protection review process for clarification.

On Oct. 19, 2010, the Patriots group reported to the board that it had the approval of DEP.

By determining that the project would be reviewed by DEP, I believe that the Planning Board approved the project on Nov. 19 and again on Jan. 5. Planning boards do not send projects to DEP for review unless they meet with approval; it just wouldn’t be done. Therefore, the opportunity for appeal has long passed.

I checked the Internet for a discussion of infrasound. According to Tauerinwind, a German wind energy institute, “Sound becomes a danger for human health when there is a constant sound level of 130 dB. Measurements on wind turbines have shown that this value is not reached. The infrasound produced by wind turbines present no danger for humans.”

Nancy Willard, Woodstock