Falmouth Massachusetts Future Wind Turbine II Litigation Costs 2019

Falmouth Massachusetts Future Wind Turbine II Litigation Costs 2019

The U.S, Department of Justice (DOJ), is a federal executive department. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative today the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in 2005 paid KEMA Inc. to do a study to install a single wind turbine in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The study stated that the Town of Falmouth had to file Special Permit 240-166 to install a single commercial wind turbine. The Town of Falmouth never filed the required Special Permit 240-166 for either the first or second Vestas V-82 commercial 1.65-megawatt wind turbine.

The Town of Falmouth was warned by email from the manufacturer of the turbines prior to any installations that a single wind turbine generate 110 decibels of noise. The warning in combination with KEMA Inc decibel map shows noise levels breaking state noise guidelines in residential locations around the turbines. Falmouth Wind I was installed in 2010. The town never disclosed the email warning until 2013.

After noise complaints started over Falmouth Wind I the manufacturer in August of 2010 sent a letter to the town they would not release the second Vestas 110 decibel wind turbine Falmouth Wind II unless the town signed a release. The town hid this letter until 2013.

Falmouth Wind II starting spinning in 2012 with no special permit hidden emails and letters warning the turbines were too loud affecting health and safety financed with ARRA funds.

ARRA funds cannot be used if they create a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation. The Town of Falmouth hid a KEMA Inc noise map, emails and a warning letter a single wind turbine would break state noise regulations. The town crossed the line even further by installing the second wind turbine with no acoustic study of two commercial 110 decibels working together.

On October 15, 2018, the town announced plans to take down Falmouth Wind I and move Falmouth Wind II closer to a private owned Vestas 110 decibel wind turbine again with no acoustic study of two Vestas 110 decibel wind turbines operating together.

Falmouth taxpayers have to be made aware that the placement of Falmouth Wind II near the Vestas wind turbine in the Falmouth Technology Park will lead to years and years of more litigation with the same results including the shut down of the private wind turbine.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)was signed into law in response to the economic crisis facing the nation. The Act provided for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that taxpayers knew where their tax dollars are being spent. Spearheaded by the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, the Act contained built-in measures to detect and prevent waste, fraud, or mismanagement of recovery spending.

The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, created the Office of Inspectors General in Federal Agencies to conduct audits and investigations to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse and promote economy and efficiency in government programs. The EPA OIG provides audit, evaluation, and investigative services with the mission and goals of improving environmental quality and human health.

Sec. 1515. of the Act allows the OIG: (1) to examine any records of the contractor or grantee, any of its subcontractors or subgrantees, or any State or local agency administering such contract, that pertains to, and involve transactions relating to, the contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant; and (2) to interview any officer or employee of the contractor, grantee, subgrantee, or agency regarding such transactions.

Recipients of ARRA funding will report on the use of funds 10 days after the end of each quarter: • The total amount of recovery funds received. • The amount of funds expended or obligated for all projects or activities for which recovery funds were expended, including - Name of the project or activity. - Description of the project or activity. - Completion status of the project or activity.

So, What is Grant Fraud? Simply put, fraud is Lying, cheating, and stealing in the performance of a government grant, contract, or loan. There is a fine line between Fraud and a Mistake… That line is Intent!

Let’s talk about Whistleblower Protections:

An employee of a non-Federal entity receiving ARRA funds, may not be discharged, demoted, or discriminated against for disclosing any information the employee reasonably believes is evidence of:

A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation of the ARRA funds

OIG-EPA Office of Inspector General

How do I Get Help? OIG Hotline 1-888-546-8740