Power Plant Page
 10/15/2007 04:40 PM

Noise / QoL Issues

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Noise / QoL Links

 

Major Noise / Quality of Life Issues

  • Noise from the fans, and steam releases (I'm still confused on the steam thing) - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

  • Even more fan type noises (think lawn tractor) if a dry system is used and I have yet to see where Sempra has committed to anything beyond what is required to meet zoning or governmental minimum requirements.

  • Visual impact - buildings, stacks and plume.

  • What does Adamstown get out of this?  Nothing...  No commitment to increase community facilities (fire department, area competition swimming pool, reduced electrical rates for homes within 2-3 miles of the plant, commitment to purchase all of Alco's land available for purchase and donate it for land conservation)?  If the area residents have to put up with this, we should receive some DIRECT benefits.

Noise  / QoL Questions, Answers and Comments

  • Opinion - Negative:  Contrary to what they say on the Sempra informational site, the operation of a power plant this close to homes WILL decrease our property values.  Having an aluminum plant this close is one thing, but a power plant is a different story.  Even if there are no changes to the ambient noise levels, or major changes to the skyline, just the fact that a power plant is here, and visible, will reduce the values.  Speaking from personal experience, if I had the choice of a nice home here, or one not so nice one 10 miles away, no where near the power plant, I would choose that house.  Power Plants have a very negative connotation (deserved or not).

  • Opinion - Negative:  If Sempra is really trying to make this work and really does 'care' about the community, why are they not committing to drastically reduce the noise levels at the property boundaries?  Why do they just say they'll meet the zoning requirements.  To me if they really want to show they care, and wanted to lessen opposition, they would commit to staying below one half (1/2) the maximum dB limit at the property boundary, and provide real-time monitoring.

  • Opinion - Negative:  Again, if Sempra is really trying to make this work and really does 'care' about the community, they would do everything they can to reduce the visual impact on the area.  They have done some things, but maybe working with Eastalco to help with the view from Ballenger Creek Pike at least would be helpful.

  • Opinion - Positive:  I don't really see any major impacts to the community during the construction phases of the project as long as they do not plan to work at night.  I also do not see any issues with regard to traffic at any point. 

My Ideas on Noise / QoL Mitigation: To help mitigate potential issues I recommend the following:

  • Do not build the plant here

  • Sempra should commit to building a 100 foot high earthen berm around the entire area where any active facilities exist on the entire property.  This berm should then be covered in grasses and both evergreen and deciduous trees.  This would serve multiple purposes including blast abatement and visual impact abatement.  It would then look more like rolling hills than an industrial complex.

Disclaimer:  This page is being developed and presented by a citizen of Adamstown, and the opinions represented here do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone beyond that individual.  Information is expected to be posted here from a variety of sources and a variety of links with differing opinions.  This site is intended to facilitate the free flow of information outside of those normal channels being provided by parties directly involved in any of the actions that are discussed.