The Federal Aviation Administration Southwest Regional Office Obstruction Evaluation Group is accepting public comments until Thursday, March 7, regarding an aeronautical study on impacts to aviation from the proposed Scout Clean Energy Nimbus Wind Facility, where proposed turbines will be up to 698 feet high. While Nimbus has drawn both support and opposition from local residents, and it has been a big issue in front of the Carroll County Quorum Count in the past year. The FAA comments are restricted to the impact the turbines would have on air navigation—not other concerns that residents have raised including noise, blinking red lights and potential disruption to water wells and wildlife.
The FAA is seeking public comments on the 46 wind turbines proposed for the Scout Clean Energy Nimbus Wind Turbine project. Comments are restricted to the impact the turbines would have on air navigation—not other concerns that residents have raised including noise, blinking red lights and potential disruption to water wells and wildlife.
The notice from FAA for one of the wind turbines, which is similar to the other notices, states that the turbine structure exceeds obstruction standards. “To determine its effect upon the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace by aircraft and on the operation of air navigation facilities, the FAA is conducting an aeronautical study,” the notice states. “In the study, consideration will be given to all facts relevant to the effect of the structure on existing and planned airspace use, air navigation facilities, airports, aircraft operations, procedures and minimum flight altitudes, and the air traffic control system.
“Interested persons are invited to participate in the aeronautical study by submitting comments to the FAA address or through the electronic notification system. To be eligible for consideration, comments must be relevant to the effect the structure would have on aviation, must provide sufficient detail to permit a clear understanding, must contain the aeronautical study number printed in the upper right-hand corner of this notice, and must be received on or before 03/07/2024.
“… Please submit your comments through the FAA’s public website at oeaaa.faa.gov. This will ensure your comments are submitted directly to the case file. Comments submitted by email are strongly discouraged. Email comments could be directed to an FAA Specialist that is away from the office, reassigned or is no longer with the organization and therefore may not be considered. Begin by completing the ‘New User Registration.’ Log in to your portal page and select the link, ‘View Circularized Cases.’ Search for the case in the appropriate state and then select ‘Submit Public Comments.’ If you need further assistance, contact the helpdesk at phone: (202) 580-7500 or email: oeaaa_helpdesk@cghtech.com.
“If we can be of further assistance, please contact our office at (847) 294-7576, or Wayne.Reynolds@faa.gov.”