Lakeshore Advance, 2013-07-17, Page 2020 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, July 17, 2013
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11ind Farm
Gord Potts
Director Business Development
and Project Manager
Grand Bend Wind Farm for
Northland Power Inc.
The balance of
scientific evidence
available clearly
indicates that wind
turbines do not have
a negative impact
on human health.
rity News
Wind Turbines and
Health Impacts
What the Experts Say
Are wind turbines bad for your health? Not according to health
experts from Canada and around the world. As you may be aware,
the federal government is currently conducting a study to look
at the purported connection between turbine noise and health ef-
fects on people living near wind turbines, with results anticipat-
ed in 2o14.The results of this study will be a helpful addition to
the significant international body of research that already exists.
However, it is important to note that the balance of scientific
evidence currently available clearly indicates that wind turbines
do•not have a negative impact on human health.
CAPE
This position is supported by a number of Canadian and inter-
national health experts. Just last month, the Canadian Associa-
tion of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) published an op-
ed, urging the Ontario Government to roll out more renewable
energy. in their words:
Why are renewables so important? In a word, because they're far
safer than conventional power. Solar and wind generation do not
contribute to climate change, respiratory illness, brain damage, or
cancer; they do not leave a legacy of radioactive waste and acidi-
fied lakes. As well, study after study suggests renewables` health
impacts, if any, are minimal. Research done by the Australian Gov-
ernment in 2009 concluded that, "there was no published scientific
evidence to positively link wind turbines with adverse health
effects."A scientific review conducted by Ontario's Chief Medical
Officer of Health in 2010 concluded that the "sound level from
wind turbines at common residential setbacks is not sufficient to
cause hearing impairment or other direct health effects, although
some people may find it annoying."A 2012 study prepared for the
Massachusetts Departments of Public Health and Environmental
Protection found there is "no evidence for a set of health effects,
from exposure to wind turbines, that could be characterized as a
'Wind Turbine Syndrome
Intelligent energy for a greener planet
http://grandbend.northlandpower.ca
by Gord Potts
A Healthy Mix
Of course, with wind turbines coming to the Grand Bend com-
munity for the first time, it's natural to have questions and
concerns. I encourage you to read the various scientific studies
available, and to visit a wind farm to learn for yourself what
they sound and look like.
The reality is, no energy source is perfect. However, some are
worse than others. For example, the Canadian Medical Associa-
tion estimates that air pollution — of which coal-fired electricity
is a major cause — costs Ontarians more than $22o million in
health care expenditures and contributes to the deaths of 1,200
Ontarians each year.' These significant health and environmental
impacts are the primary reasons Ontario is moving away from
fossil -fuel based, non-renewable energy sources towards cleaner
energy sources like wind, solar and hydro.
As a society, we have a responsibility to strike a balance between
those sources that have the lowest impact and the greatest
benefit. That's why we need a diverse supply mix comprised of
various energy sources, including wind. We also need to ensure
that all energy projects — regardless of the technology — are sited
and developed responsibly, to minimize the impacts on people,
animals and ecosystems. David Suzuki sums it up well: "When
it comes to wind power, we have to be careful to ensure that
impacts on the environment and on animals...are minimized, and
we should continue to study possible effects on health. But we
must also be wary of false arguments against it."'.
As always, please email me at grandbendenorthlandpowar.ca
with any questions about the project, or if you would like links
to recent health studies.
1 http://ontariowire.com/article/a8»/Canadian-Association-of-Physicians-for-the-
f nvironment/Op-Ed-Doc tors -Urge -Province -to -Ramp -Up -Renewable -Energy. html
http://1vww.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/subject/renewable_ energy/index.htm
j http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters//osj/oy/wind-power-oppo-
nen is -may-be-blowing-hot-air/
Northland Power is an Ontario -based company with over 25 years experience developing,
owning and operating facilities that produce and sell clean and green energy POWER
1
NORTHLAND