Charles City County residents say noise levels from nearby plant are too loud
CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Charles City County residents are hoping county leaders will step in and make a change as noise levels from a nearby by generator plant are causing concern. Tucked away in a Charles City County neighborhood, you'll find David Tudor's log cabin. Just feet away is a large industrial plant where Tudor and neighbors say noise levels are a constant pain. "It just resonates like you're in a box just, that's exactly what it sounds like. And when my hearing aids out, it sounds like that," Tudor said. “If you listen it’s like a constant buzzing," said Linny Miles, neighbor. Charles City County industrial plant (Photo courtesy of Rolynn Wilson, 8News) 8News spoke with Tudor outside of his home he bought back in 2006. He says since moving in, the frequency of sound levels have only gotten worse. “I have hearing aids and I take them out. And when I lay down at night and that thing's run and it resonates through the house and everything else. So it's extremely loud and it'll keep you awake if you concentrate on it," Tudor said. Tudor says he's taken several steps to address the problem with county leaders and the company and he has not seen improvements. He previously bought a decibel meter to track the noise levels himself. "We were getting over 70 DB at the road and I was always getting 70 DB on the porch," Tudor said. Tudor's decibel meter (Photo courtesy of Rolynn Wilson, 8News) 8News learned Archaea Energy took over the plant in recent years and uses generators to turn landfill gas into energy. "We are committed to being a good community partner. The generators at the Charles City plant are housed inside a building and the plant is surrounded by mature trees. We look forward to continuing to connect with the community to share information about the plant which converts landfill gas into electricity, a lower carbon energy," said a spokesperson from the company. 8News reached out to county leaders who say they've adopted a noise ordinance policy but this policy does not apply to industrial property. Charles City County industrial plant (Photo courtesy of Rolynn Wilson, 8News) County leaders tell 8News they've visited the site on multiple occasions and say sound levels do not exceed 70 decibels. "It’s also important to note that even if a new noise ordinance were introduced, the existing operation would be 'grandfathered in,' meaning it would not be subject to any new requirements. We are committed to maintaining open communication with the facility and our residents and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all operations comply with the current regulations," said Michelle Johnson, county supervisor. Tudor and Miles say they would like for the county to install a noise barrier. "It makes you feel kind of helpless, honestly, that you can't. I felt like we're just one or two people and nobody really cares much," said Tudor.
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CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Charles City County residents are hoping county leaders will step in and make a change as noise levels from a nearby by generator plant are causing concern.
Tucked away in a Charles City County neighborhood, you'll find David Tudor's log cabin. Just feet away is a large industrial plant where Tudor and neighbors say noise levels are a constant pain.
"It just resonates like you're in a box just, that's exactly what it sounds like. And when my hearing aids out, it sounds like that," Tudor said.
“If you listen it’s like a constant buzzing," said Linny Miles, neighbor.
Charles City County industrial plant (Photo courtesy of Rolynn Wilson, 8News)
8News spoke with Tudor outside of his home he bought back in 2006. He says since moving in, the frequency of sound levels have only gotten worse.
“I have hearing aids and I take them out. And when I lay down at night and that thing's run and it resonates through the house and everything else. So it's extremely loud and it'll keep you awake if you concentrate on it," Tudor said.
Tudor says he's taken several steps to address the problem with county leaders and the company and he has not seen improvements. He previously bought a decibel meter to track the noise levels himself.
"We were getting over 70 DB at the road and I was always getting 70 DB on the porch," Tudor said.
Tudor's decibel meter (Photo courtesy of Rolynn Wilson, 8News)
8News learned Archaea Energy took over the plant in recent years and uses generators to turn landfill gas into energy.
"We are committed to being a good community partner. The generators at the Charles City plant are housed inside a building and the plant is surrounded by mature trees. We look forward to continuing to connect with the community to share information about the plant which converts landfill gas into electricity, a lower carbon energy," said a spokesperson from the company.
8News reached out to county leaders who say they've adopted a noise ordinance policy but this policy does not apply to industrial property.
Charles City County industrial plant (Photo courtesy of Rolynn Wilson, 8News)
County leaders tell 8News they've visited the site on multiple occasions and say sound levels do not exceed 70 decibels.
"It’s also important to note that even if a new noise ordinance were introduced, the existing operation would be 'grandfathered in,' meaning it would not be subject to any new requirements. We are committed to maintaining open communication with the facility and our residents and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all operations comply with the current regulations," said Michelle Johnson, county supervisor.
Tudor and Miles say they would like for the county to install a noise barrier.
"It makes you feel kind of helpless, honestly, that you can't. I felt like we're just one or two people and nobody really cares much," said Tudor.
