So Nicollet County has passed an ordinance stating that Gustavus must conduct noise pollution studies before it can erect even a single wind turbine. Don’t worry about the cars from Highway 169, sirens from various vehicles, trains that pass through the town with horns sounding (sometimes at night) or dogs from the neighborhoods that yap outside your Complex window that all are bound to occur throughout the day. Those clearly aren’t obnoxious enough.

Jokes aside, a quick Google search shows that wind turbines and noise pollution may cause health problems, not because of the volume, but rather because of the low frequency of noise that is emitted. However, other studies state that these health problems may actually be psychosomatic and thus not directly related to the turbines: noise. I am in support of Gustavus for this issue, but please get the facts from both sides (including myself, as I was almost prepared to send a 300-word rant on Friday) before you blast someone’s opinion.

Commissioner James Stenson said that he believes the primary reason Gustavus wants a turbine is because St. Olaf and Carleton have one. I won’t disagree that it may be a contributing factor, but I believe it’s more likely because those two colleges have shown that it’s possible to acquire one, not because it’s a fad. I think Sunday and Monday’s windy weather should have been good reasons as to why GAC is pursuing a wind turbine, and our school has better things to do than copycat our rivals.

Andrew Bryz-Gornia, ‘11