Q: When is hiring expected to begin? What type of jobs will be hired locally?
Atcon has not yet fully defined our needs for workers, but prefer to hire locally when feasible. Typical traders would be concrete workers (carpenters, rebar installers, etc.) equipment operators (excavator, crane, bulldozer, etc.). Resumes can be sent to hr@atongroup.com . Hiring would be in the spring of 2008.

Q: How will the remoteness of the area be considered for safety plans in the place? What policies and practices are put in place if someone is hurt on the job since there is no nearby hospital in the project location?
Atcon’s safety department will coordinate appropriate emergency response procedures with local authorities before the start of the construction phase. Personnel with appropriate First Aid training will be on site. Atcon is accustomed to working in remote locations (e.g. Canadian Arctic) and has policies/practices for situation of this nature.

Q: How will the road conditions be ensured during the transportation of oversized loads? What will be done if the roads are damaged?
Concrete and gravel trucks on public highways will adhere to standard weight limits from the NL Department of Highways.

Q: Why is wind power so appealing?
Wind power is as close to ideal as you can get. It has minimal environmental impact and is a renewable resource, unlike fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas).

Q. What is the Wind turbines made out of?
The tower that supports the nacelle, which houses the generator and the blades, is usually tubular and is made of steel. Today, most of the blades are made out of reinforced fiberglass, polyester or epoxy.

Q: Can they withstand high winds?
Yes, they can withstand wind speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. However, if the wind blows too hard (near 60 mph) the blades on the wind turbine stop in order to protect it from damage.

Q: Will the wind turbine be able to store energy?
Unfortunately, no. Currently, there is no efficient and effective method for storing any type of electricity, regardless of its source.

Q: What kind of maintenance is needed?
Wind turbines have been built to last for 30 years or more, and require only standard mechanical maintenance such as lubrication, oil changes, and replacement of worn parts, etc.

Q: How much noise does a wind turbine make?
Typically a wind turbine produces 100 decibels of sound or less. The level can be as low as 50 decibels, which is equivalent to having a conversation with a person approximately 3 feet away. Most of the turbines have several sound-proofing elements in place including noise insulation of the drive train and gear box, and reduced blade tip speed.

Q: What happens if the wind turbine is struck by lightning?
Most wind turbines of today include lightning protection. Typically, the lightning protection installed in the blade tip discharges the lightening inside the rotor blades, going around the nacelle and then down the tower thereby diverting the electrical charge away from the machinery. Very rarely does the lightning destroy a turbine completely. Damage, if any, is usually confined to a blade or blade tip and can be repaired or replaced easily.