Frequently Asked Questions
On the Proposed Long Island Offshore

Source/Activity	Indicative noise level dB (A)
Threshold of hearing	0
Rural night-time background	20-40
Quiet bedroom	35
Wind farm at 350m	35-45
Car at 40mph at 100m	55
Busy general office	60
Truck at 30mph at 100m	65
Pneumatic drill at 7m	95
Jet aircraft at 250m	105
Threshold of pain	140

(Information taken from The Scottish Office, Environment Department, Planning Advice Note, PAN 45, Annex A: Wind Power, A.27. Renewable Energy Technologies, August 1994)

Newer wind turbine generators produce less sound than older turbines in part by reducing noise from wind passing by the turbine hub and blades. A 2000 report by the British Wind Energy Association indicated that wind turbine noise is typically 50 to 60 dBA at a distance of approximately 130 feet from the turbines and according to the Scottish Office Environmental Department, a typical wind farm would be expected to be 35 to 45 dBA at 1,150 feet. For comparison, according to a report by Temple University, sound levels in a library are approximately 40 dBA. Since turbines would be located a distance of at least 3.6 miles from shore, and based on the rule of thumb of -6 dBA per doubling of distance, wind turbine generator sound would be further reduced by another 24 dBA (or to below 22 dBA) by the time it reaches the nearest shoreline. Thus wind turbine-generated sound levels would likely be below the existing shoreline background sound levels. Experience in Europe with existing offshore wind parks has demonstrated no significant adverse noise impacts to coastal communities or areas. Additionally, the noise impact assessment that will be prepared as part of the environmental review and permitting processes for the project will address the issue of potential low frequency noise concerns.

The turbine will start spinning at around 7mph, and when the winds become too strong, around 55mph, the turbine will apply brakes to the rotor and, depending on the manufacturer, some will pitch the blades so that they lose their aerodynamic properties and stop spinning.

According to AWEA wind farms can interfere with radio or TV signals if a turbine is in the "line of sight" between a receiver and the signal source, but this problem can usually be easily dealt with by improving the receiver's antenna or installing relays to transmit the signal around the wind farm. Use of satellite or cable television is also an option. The Long Island Offshore Wind Park is not in a line of site between a receiver and a signal source.

Yes. Modern wind turbines are reliable and efficient. FPL Energy is the largest owner-operator of wind energy projects in the U.S., with a long track record of successful operation. Last year FPL Energy’s land-based wind turbine fleet was available for operation more than 95 percent of the time. Offshore wind parks in Europe, which have expanded rapidly in number over the last 15 years, are also demonstrating high reliability.

Although may be possible to build turbines in deep water (more than 70 ft.), this technology is still unproven and very expensive. This would likely increase the cost of the electricity produced making the project uneconomical over the long term. The Wind Park is also located landward of the established shipping lanes in order to provide a buffer zone between the wind turbines and the shipping lanes. Thus there is limited opportunity in the Project area to push the Project into deeper water due to this conflict.

The FAA and U.S. Coast Guard will require aviation and vessel navigation warning lights, respectively. Lighted towers currently exist along the South Shore of Long Island including the barrier island. Some of the lights on the wind turbine generators may be visible on clear nights. Visibility of these warning lights will be considered in the visual impact analysis. Viable mitigation options including upward directional aviation lights, LED light use instead of strobe lights and others will be explored with the FAA and U.S. Coast Guard.