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WINDSOR – A wind turbine project across the river in Chowan County has some Bertie County residents seeing red….every night, all night long.

Red warning lights attached to each of the 45 wind turbines blink every two seconds, which adds up to 81,000 times per hour. The lights, required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are activated from dusk to dawn. That means, based on this time of the year, those lights combine to blink 1,053,000 times per night.

Gayle King said the flashing lights detract from the reason why she moved from northern Virginia to rural Bertie County.

“We came to Bertie County in search of a life featuring outdoor activities and an easy going lifestyle and found it on the banks of the Albemarle Sound….fulfilling a lifelong dream of living by the water,” said King, who lives at Occano, a waterfront residential community on the Albemarle Sound that is home to an award-winning 18-hole golf course.

King was among several residents to address the issue about the lights during a recent meeting of the Bertie County Board of Commissioners.

She noted that her tranquility ended with last year’s opening of Timbermill Wind, a project of Apex Clean Energy near Edenton where the 45 turbines are spread across 6,000 acres of farmland and managed timberland.

According to the Timbermill Wind website, each its 4.2-megawatt wind turbines in Chowan County can generate enough power in a single rotation to power the average North Carolina home for more than four hours. The project has the capacity to generate up to 189 MW, producing enough energy to power the equivalent of 47,000 homes every year.

“Lights flash from the turbines throughout the night,” King said. “They affect our everyday lives. They affect property values which have a significant impact on property tax revenue.”

King stressed that since the lights were first activated, she has been in contact with Timbermill Wind, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the FAA, and NC Senator Bobby Hanig regarding possible solutions.

“Through the power of social media and the dedication of Bertie County citizens, we are making significant progress,” King stated.

Additionally, King noted a conversation with Lan Norris, Special Wind Turbine Team and Obstruction Evaluation Group with the FAA. King said he addressed three certified types of aircraft detection lighting systems approved by the FAA for onshore wind turbines.

“In order to move forward with this solution, Timbermill will need to work with county representatives and submit the appropriate permits.” King said. “This technology is being used in the United States and many counties are now requiring this technology as a solution to a host of issues related to these flashing red lights. We are asking for your help.”

Among the options that will possibly alleviate the situation with the constant blinking of the red lights is the Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS). According to the FAA website, ADLS uses primary radar to detect aircraft approaching the turbines at a wind farm. Once an aircraft is detected, the red flashing warning lights are activated and remain that way until the aircraft clears the ADLS coverage area.

Ron Phillips mentioned the ADLS system during his remarks to the Bertie Commissioners. He asked the board to support their citizens by approving a resolution requesting Apex Clean Energy to move forward with a complete retrofit system that will eliminate the light pollution he, his wife, and others are currently experiencing each evening.

“Part of the beauty of this region is the open views of moonrises, sunrises, and sunsets, clear views of the solar system and the diverse amount of wildlife,” said Phillips, who resides in the Blackrock community, a residential area located along the banks of the Chowan River at the US 17 bridge.

While their home was being built, Phillips said they could see the Apex Wind Farm being constructed across the river.

“Initially, we were not overly concerned with those structures coming out of the ground,” he said. “That all changed once Apex put the windmills in service. We were bombarded by the red aviation lights flashing very two seconds from dusk to sunrise. These lights now make the view across the Chowan River resemble the approach lights at an airport.

“Not only is this light pollution, but it could be triggering other human health issues such anxiety, PTSD, and other things,” he added. “We’ve registered our complaints on the Apex website and given standard response citing FAA rules, military flights, etc. They did mention the ADLS system as an option if Apex can get the necessary government approval.”

Kate Jordan, who resides at Mt. Gould on the banks of the Chowan River, asked the commissioners for support in filing a grievance against Timbermill Winds through their website. She noted that the grievance addresses advance notification when wind turbine farms are projected to be built and there needs to be zero tolerance for lights, other than the ADLS system, on the windmills, and work with state representatives to support the ADLS technology.

“These lights not only disrupt the peace of my home, but also my photography business and my guests at my Airbnb,” Jordan said. “Bertie County residents along the Chowan River are being robbed of peaceful nights and natural beauty by the relentless flashing of lights every few seconds all night long.”

She emphasized that the only solution available right now is the ADLS system.

“It keeps the lights off until an aircraft is around. It has to be approved by the FAA, the DOD (Department of Defense) and probably other places as well,” Jordan said. “We need your voices and your actions to support this. Go to the website and file a complaint.”

Lucy Daniels, lifetime resident of Bertie County, said she enjoys life on the water and has raised her children and grandchildren to enjoy the same lifestyle.

“Help us get rid of these red flashing lights that are from dusk to dawn,” Daniels said.

Daniels added that she is a private pilot and there are so many maps and navigational aids that keeps pilots of aircraft informed where the dangers are, to include towers/windmills.

The commissioners thanked the citizens for sharing their concerns, but did not take any immediate action on the matter.

“Please bear with us as we work through this,” said Commission Chair Corey Ballance Sr. “Everything takes reason and coming together. That’s the whole purpose of having public comment as we try to figure out the best route to take.”

Later, Jordan said several local citizens attended a community meeting held Jan. 21 that included Senator Hanig who told the audience that from conversation he has with officials from Timbermill Wind that they are “open to solutions.”