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Residents urge Sanilac County health review of wind, solar and battery projects amid noise and health concerns
Summary
Public speakers asked the county to investigate health and noise impacts of proposed wind, solar and battery-storage projects, reporting local sound readings they said exceeded levels associated with sleep disturbance and calling on the health board to act.
During the May 6 public comment period, residents urged the Sanilac County Board to press the health department to investigate the local impacts of wind, solar and battery-storage projects. Merrill Stiffler told commissioners he and neighbors had undertaken sound studies and said the turbine company's study "said the noise from the turbines isn't a problem," but that independent readings they took showed higher levels; he said the community "don't want green energy" and asked the county to protect residents' health and property values.
Stiffler cited two sound-study results he described as showing decibel readings from 55 to 85 at a distance down the road during a 17-mph wind and mentioned a separate example with measurements around 94–95 dB near a solar site. He urged the county health board to follow the lead of nearby counties and consider an investigation; he also asked the board to consider legal counsel. Commissioners acknowledged the comment and noted the issue remains under local review; no formal county action was recorded at the May 6 meeting.
The statements are claims made by public commenters and were not independently verified at the meeting. The board did not place an investigation on the agenda or direct staff to open a formal health inquiry during this session.
