Invenergy faces lawsuit over noise from 72-MW Oregon wind farm

Aug 12, 2013 - US citizen Dan Williams is suing US clean energy company Invenergy LLC over the effects of the 72-MW wind farm in Oregon on the plaintiff's health, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

On Friday, Williams filed a complaint in which he seeks as much as USD 5 million (EUR 3.8m) in compensation for non-economic losses and another USD 170,000 for economic losses related to property value depreciation among others. The claimant says the noise from the Willow Creek wind farm’s turbines had caused emotional distress, physical and emotional health troubles, dizziness, inability to sleep, fatigue, headaches, irritation and other symptoms. The AP quoted Williams’ attorney Jim McClandish as saying that according to new studies low-frequency turbine noise can be dangerous, without commenting specifically on the case.

Under Oregon legislation, there is a 36 dBa noise limit. In 2009 Invenergy carried out a noise study on Williams' property and concluded that noise levels there reached 42 dBa. After that, the company tried to reduce noise by shutting down turbines at certain levels. Yet, Williams claims that with existing technology it takes too long to turn off the machines when the set noise limits are reached, the AP said.

In a statement on Friday Invenergy said it would actively defend itself against Williams’ accusations.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.752)

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