Wind energy is a quiet neighbor when operating. The proposed turbine will adhere to the City of Oneida noise regulations, which limit wind turbines to no more than 45 decibels of sound at the property line.

Prior to submitting an application to the City of Oneida, New Leaf Energy worked closely with Epsilon Associates, an industry leader in sound modeling, to analyze the proposed project. The purpose of this analysis was to ensure compliance with the City of Oneidas code, as well as industry standards. The resulting study, submitted with the Conditional Use permit application, shows sound levels well below industry standards, and meeting the City code.

The resulting sound levels at homes in the area were also analyzed and it was found that levels will be below 35dB even at the nearest home. For context, 35dB is the level of a quiet library. It should be noted that these are the maximum noise levels a turbine would produce, which would correspond to windy conditions when ambient noise levels are high.

Proper siting is critical to mitigating safety risks - the proposed turbine is located 840 feet from the nearest property line, and more than 2000 feet from the nearest home.

To reduce the risk of ice throw, the wind turbines can be shutdown remotely when site personnel observe icing conditions and ice formation on the wind turbines, or predicted atmospheric conditions warrant. If ice buildup is detected, the turbine will shut down and go into an ice-shedding mode, in which the turbine is at a standstill until the ice has been shed. In this case the ice would fall directly below the turbine.

Additionally, the turbines have been designed to withstand lightning strikes, and are designed to withstand hurricane force winds. Again, proper siting provides a safety buffer in the unlikely event of a turbine collapse. In the rare event that turbines have collapsed, typically the blade strikes the tower, causing the structure to collapse down, rather than falling over. However, in the worst case scenario where the turbine falls over intact, the 840 foot setback to the nearest property line allows the 560 foot tall turbine to fall without risking neighbors or infrastructure.

New Leaf is also dedicated to working with the local fire department, and the Oneida Fire Department has been involved in discussions about the proposed project. In the event of a fire, a defensive approach is appropriate where the area is secured and allows the turbine to burn itself out. As the project continues to mature, New Leaf is committed to providing site plans, knox boxes, training, or other accommodations to the Oneida Fire Department as necessary.

Wind power is far less harmful to wildlife than traditional energy sources. According to the Audubon society, the greatest causes of bird deaths are cats, tall buildings, power lines and cell towers, and automobiles.

Proper mitigation measures ensure that impacts to wildlife are minimized, and that is why New Leaf, in consultation with the New York Department of Conservation, has agreed to cease operations during defined periods of high bat activity.

This project must obtain a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit for stormwater discharges. In order to obtain the permit, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) was prepared and submitted to the City. This document is a design report that outlines all the measures that are implemented to protect the adjacent properties from surface water problems and show how the project meets State regulations.

The design of the access roads and wind turbine site has been analyzed to ensure that the project will not adversely affect runoff or cause downstream flooding. Stormwater management best practices will be installed to ensure no increase in the amount of water coming off the site or impacts to water quality will result from the project.

This project will continue to generate emissions-free electricity for decades to come, with the projected project lifespan being up to 40 years. At the end of the turbine's useful life, the operator will be responsible for removing it.

NLE submitted a decommissioning plan and estimate to the City of Oneida. The plan requires removal of all project features including the turbine and all gravel areas to a depth of 4 feet as required by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. Prior to construction, a decommissioning bond will be put in place by the turbine operator. This bond will be held for the lifetime of the turbine to be used only in the unlikely event that the City of Oneida needs to remove the turbine. In that case, the City will be able to use the funds in the bond to pay for removal, at no cost to taxpayers.

To ensure roads are not damaged by the construction of the project, a road use agreement will be negotiated with the appropriate entities prior to construction. It is expected that this will be Madison County, the Town of Lincoln, and the City of Oneida. The road use agreement will include the following:

– Statement of no adverse impact or expense to the community.

– Designated roads to be used over the course of the project.

– Pre- and post- road evaluations, including before and after photographs, to confirm no damages of the traversed roads have occurred.

– Any damages to the roads will be repaired in a timely manner.

Shadow flicker can occur when rotating turbine blades come between the viewer and the sun, causing a moving shadow. Shadow flicker usually occurs close to sunrise and sunset. Factors that determine how often a wind turbine will cast a shadow on a residence or other structure include turbine height and length of blades, site topography, distance between turbine and structure, season and time of day, wind direction and speed, and cloud cover. For instance, there is no shadow flicker on cloudy days or when the wind is not blowing.

When proper planning and standards are implemented during the design process, the occurrence of shadow flicker can be minimized or entirely avoided. The impact of shadow flicker on homes, roads, and populated areas can be mitigated through the use of appropriate setbacks, planting trees for screening, or window treatments to minimize concerns. Shadow flicker can also be limited by pausing the operation of a turbine during periods when unacceptable flicker is expected to occur.

Community wind projects do not require transmission lines, rather they produce local electricity for consumption in the surrounding region. Community wind-generated electricity is not exported to other areas, but used locally. Community wind projects connect to electrical ‘distribution lines’ which are the same lines that feed neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and municipal buildings.