Episode 3 of “Wind Wars” aired last night on TVOntario’s “Blown Apart” series; final episode will air next Sunday on TVOntario at 8 p.m.
For those who can’t wait to see more of Rachel Ruffle of RES (Note that RES is in North America and is part owner of the huge Talbot wind “farm” in southwestern Ontario), here is a YouTube clip in which she tells people what the documentary left out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7I2OFrGtZ8
She smilingly hits on all the important points from the wind industry playbook:
-wind provides “green” electricity
-most people support wind
-children’s health
-coal plants
-there are no health problems
-visual impact is not really a concern (Note at one point in episode 3, she told community member Michael Hulme that “you don’t own the view”)
If you still want to see more Rachel, there are more videos of the RES UK Director explaining a “teeny” error in the company’s noise data (which they fought hard not to have to release) but since it was just 0.4 dB it didn’t really matter anyway; there is also a video of the project manager Helen Hall who says RES is anxious to provide work for local contractors and to give the community the benefits of the wind “farm.” Of course, these jobs and “benefits” will last only as long as the construction period, but she doesn’t say that.
Better Plan in Wisconsin has a link to the entire series http://betterplan.squarespace.com/todays-special/2011/7/27/72711-movie-day-at-better-plan-watch-the-bbc-series-wind-war.html and TVO allows you to browse episodes at http://ww3.tvo.org/program/165864/blown-apart-windfarm-wars/#
To join us for weekly news updates, e-mail northgowerwindactiongroup@yahoo.ca
Rachel Ruffle is nothing more than a paid shill. What the hell is a “chartered” engineer. She indicates that 2 planning authorities and 2 judges have given the green light on the Devon Farm wind project. These people have no experience in understanding noise assessements, which use “modelled” levels, never real world noise data from real wind projects. She has no understanding of the flaws that lie in the methods used to assess noise which completly ignore shear effect, cyclic noise characteristics and low frequency noise.
Rachel has taken it to a level of a crusade and is suffering from cognitive dissonance.
She also says most people support wind. SHOW ME THE NUMBERS!!!
She says that wind reduces pollution from coal -SHOW ME THE NUMBERS!!!
She says that property values are not affected – SHOW ME THE NUMBERS!!
All using independent 3rd party experts that are not paid by your company Rachel.
Agreed. It has been interesting to watch her metamorphosis from community member and young mum (at one point she tells the Hulmes she would love to stay and chat but has to go pick up her kids) to full Director with RES UK and a chartered engineer. From weeping at the council meetings because people just don’t understand wind farms, to her slick PR performances in company videos.
Anyone in the UK can call themselves an engineer but according to Wikipedia: For registration as a Chartered Engineer, it is necessary for candidates to demonstrate that they are professionally competent through education, training and professional practice. Although many Chartered Engineers have non engineering degree qualifications, or honours degrees in engineering, science or mathematics, since 1997 it has been necessary to demonstrate University Masters-level knowledge and understanding, most commonly by completion of the 4 year undergraduate integrated MEng degree, or by gaining an appropriate masters degree following completion of a 3 year bachelor degree in engineering or a cognate subject. A UK Master in Engineering (MEng) is an extended 4-year undergraduate degree-course in the United Kingdom.
Sounds like she was awarded her “chartered” engineer standing by RES because there is no way this woman has the qualifications to understand the noise assessement data. She is relying on in-house “engineers”, people who understand the noise modelling program and how to plunk in the coordinates. You can actually get this info. online and do your own assessment if you like. You are correct in the metamorphosis. It’s very scary and there must be some kind of psychological term or explanation for her dramatic transformation to the point where she becomes completely out of touch with her own neighbours and community. The whole situation just saddens me completely.
Mike Hulme BTW is looking for support of his case against RES. Luckily he has connections with Jane Davis and support from a qualified acoustician. There is a Devon Valley resident website that lists some updates.