Robert Rand, an acoustical engineer from Brunswick, Maine, [Rand Acoustics] spoke during a presentation at a meeting in Dartmouth on October 23, 2024 at the Stackhouse Club.

Robert has developed underwater recordings of the sound waves which are the direct result of the pile driving activity generated while installing the monopiles off the South Coast areas leased to wind farm developers. His presentation focused on why and how pile driving activity during installation of wind turbines is impacting cetaceans [whales] and pinnipeds [dolphins and porpoises] and other sea life. These recordings were made at various depths and distances from the workboat which is the source of the pile driving sound waves. Despite the efforts made by the pile drivers to mask the sound waves using mechanical means, the sound waves are not ameliorated by these methods or efforts at any depth or distance.

U.S. Navy divers are not permitted to dive if sound levels underwater exceed 145 decibels [db]. The current pile driving creates sound waves exceeding an average of 180-185db.This intensity is recorded at up to a distance of 5km from the construction ship. Rand illustrated what sound levels exceeding 90 db are like during the presentation. 

These intense, high-level sound waves develop conditions which damage the hearing and sonar communication of the whales and porpoises. In addition, because of the translucence of their bodies under water, sound at this level penetrates through the mammals’ bodies damaging their internal organs.

The mayor of New Bedford, for example, has moved the city back into a 19th century business which made the city famous: The business of killing whales. All of whom, at this point, are endangered species. Under the guise of climate change ideology, developing wind farms has become a very large business, subsidized and with tax incentives, at the taxpayers’ expense. This venture, however, will ultimately fail when the people [consumers] are exposed to the increase in their hourly electric rate per kw once wind turbines come online. The fact that these machines may not have more than a five-year shelf life may also create a reaction, which has been a long time in coming. 

The industrialization of these pristine New England waters could have ceased before this industrialization began. Quebec Hydro has, for 30 years, offered to supply electricity to the ISONE grid [all six New England States.] This offer was rejected by the governors, substituting offshore wind for hydropower. Wind turbines are the most expensive means of generating electricity and their output is intermittent at best. Wind and solar cannot replace the grid. Studies by ISONE and the London School of Economics have concluded that wind and solar cannot replace the grid. Wind is the most expensive method of producing electricity. The only sure replacements are: Hydro, nuclear, and gas. New small modular nuclear reactors [SMRS] are a singular answer to this issue.

Perhaps we will finally be apprised of this alternative by the new administration in Washington, which responds to the requirements of its citizens, rather than big business. 

Bernard P. Giroux
South Dartmouth