Biomass installing noise-dampeners

ALACHUA – As complaints from Turkey Creek residents in Alachua continue to find their way to local officials, the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GREC) has outlined its plans to address objections to the noise and pollution coming from its biomass plant.

Ever since the biomass plant went online in August, residents of the Turkey Creek neighborhood have been vocal about the noise level and dust pollution coming from the facility. One solution could come in the form of noise dampeners installed near the loud equipment, according to a memo from GREC.

GREC acknowledges the residents are unhappy, said Karen Hyler, administrator of the GREC project.

“We take it seriously,” she said. “We’re going to spend money on a solution that we think is going to significantly reduce it.”

An engineer from the consulting firm Hessler Associates, which specializes in minimizing noise from power plants, visited the facility on two occasions to perform tests.

The engineer, David Hessler, suggested the installation of an acoustically absorptive lining inside the cylindrical stack standing over the plant.

“We believe this is the best solution to reduce sound emissions from the facility in the community,” Hessler wrote in his report.

GREC hopes to have the 6-inch-thick panels installed by December, according to a memo released on Oct. 8.

“Despite being in compliance with the regulations, GREC is nevertheless committed to being a good neighbor,” it read.

Most of the noise comes from the airflow inside the stack, according to the memo. Part of the problem is the low frequency of the noise, which causes it to travel farther due to the geography of the area.

In addition to installing the noise-dampening panels, GREC said it will limit cold-starts of the plant to daytime hours, changing the direction of the vent for the dust collection system to point toward the east and avoiding receiving wood during nighttime and early morning.

At least one resident claimed to hear loud noise at 3 a.m., said Alachua City Commissioner Robert Wilford, who lives in Turkey Creek.  

Alachua’s city commission meetings have been met with dozens of affected residents vocal about their problems with the plant.

The Gainesville Police Department conducted tests in Turkey Creek, but found the volume level to not be a violation of Gainesville’s noise ordinances, where the plant is located.

One Turkey Creek resident has adopted a wait-and-see attitude on the proposed solutions.

“If it does work, hey, that’s great,” said Russ Pisano. “In the meantime, we’re being constantly bombarded by this thing.”

Pisano said he wants the biomass plant shut down until the noise problem is fixed.

“They’re testing it with us as guinea pigs,” he said.

There is a lack of trust on the part of Turkey Creek residents, Pisano said.

“The proof is in the results,” he said. “If this is going to be a solution, why didn’t they address it before?”

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