WIND CONCERNS ONTARIO ASKS MINISTER OF ENERGY TO DESCRIBE THE SITUATION HONESTLY FOR ONCE!

WIND CONCERNS ONTARIO
windconcernsontario.org
Protecting Rural Ontario for Future Generations

WIND CONCERNS ONTARIO MEETS WITH MINISTER OF ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE 1/26/09
TORONTO, Jan. 26 – Wind Concerns Ontario held a meeting this weekend with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman. The informal meeting at the invitation of Mr. Smitherman was held to open up a dialogue about the many issues raised by Wind Concerns Ontario. The constructive discussion at the Ministry of Energy offices centered mostly on the subjects of the Health and Safety impacts of industrial wind power development on residents. Three executive members of Wind Concerns Ontario were in attendance.

TO view the briefing presented to Smitherman: Please describe the situation honestly.

Dr. Robert McMurtry M.D. F.R.C.S(C), F.A.C.S. Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Western Ontario spoke about the need for an epidemiological study into the health impacts of industrial wind turbines and the inadequacy of current setback guidelines with regards to people. Adverse health effects are being noted by people in Ontario who live near wind turbine installations. Dr. McMurtry has been gathering data from health specialists around the world who are documenting medical evidence of physiological adverse effects of the noise from wind turbines. Many case reports and case series have emerged but no authoritative epidemiological studies. As the Ministry of Environment (Ontario) regulations are inadequate such a study is imperative. Dr. McMurtry also pointed out the resolution of the French Academy of Scientists and the Darmstadt Manifesto from over 100 scientists in Germany regarding set-backs.

Mr. William Palmer a Professional Engineer discussed the need for provincial standards to be established to protect the public. Palmer noted that in the case of Hydro One Networks Inc. a distance of 500 meters from wind power developments has been set in order to protect their electricity transmission lines. However there is no requirement as to how far away wind installations must be from roads and lot lines. He cited cases where wind installations in Ontario are as near as 50 meters from non participating neighbor’s lot lines. It was then pointed out that this is the recommended municipal bylaw information from CanWea, the Canadian Wind Energy Association.

Mr. Palmer also discussed evidence collected over two years to show the change in wind profile that makes wind turbines particularly annoying at night, and described why the cyclic noise produced by wind turbines makes them more annoying than a steady sound.

Beth Harrington, media relations coordinator for Wind Concerns Ontario explained why she volunteered for that role. “I was a believer in Wind Power like everyone else until I discovered that in Prince Edward County wind developers were applying to install 13 industrial turbines between two Provincial wildlife areas, along an environmentally protected shoreline in one of Canada’s most important and internationally recognized bird areas. It seemed wrong!”

A briefing file was also prepared and delivered to Mr. Smitherman which outlines Wind Concerns Ontario’s main levels of concern:

1. The adverse effects of industrial wind on the public’s health, well being and safety as well as the environmental impacts on birds, wetlands, conservation areas and environmentally protected shorelines. The absence of full environmental assessments for any project to date was noted.

2. Proper land use regulations such as used for hydroelectric in order to protect rural economies, historic landscapes, quality of life and remove the disruptive change from rural to industrial.

3. Economic sustainability including financial burdens on Ontario taxpayers, municipalities, manufacturers and businesses through high costs of wind generated power.

4. How do these developments fit in with Ontario’s economic and industrial strategy?

Wind Concerns Ontario is committed to energy conservation and the development of responsible alternative forms of energy. This organization of volunteers continues to research the harmful health, safety and environmental impacts of wind power development in Ontario and resolves to continue to urge that the Ontario Government establish a clear and responsible set of strict guidelines on wind power development going forward which will protect the citizens of this province.

For more information contact:
Beth Harrington
Media Relations
Wind Concerns Ontario
647 588 8647
416 481-6424
www.windconcernsontario.org