The following resolution to encourage studies of the health effects of wind turbines was submitted by Dr. Albert Aniel and Dr. Michael Nissenbaum and adopted by the Maine Medical Association at its Annual Meeting, Sept. 11-13, 2009. It was also adopted by the Maine Osteopathic Association board of directors on Sept. 25.
In 2011, the Maine Medical Association rescinded this resolution and their consequent “Wind Energy and Public Health” policy lest it be seen to conflict with their concomitant endorsement of large-scale wind development.
WHEREAS, proposals to locate and build wind energy facilities in the State have at times proven controversial, due to concerns regarding potential effects of such facilities on the public health; and
WHEREAS, the trade off between the public good of generating electricity and the adverse health effects warrant appropriate evidence-based scientific research; and
WHEREAS, assessing the potential health impact of wind turbines has been difficult to measure but if present would be of significant concern, and this is especially apparent regarding the noise level and other noise characteristics specific to industrial wind turbines; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for modification of the State’s regulatory process for siting wind energy developments to reduce the potential for controversy regarding siting of grid-scale wind energy development and to address health controversy with regulatory changes to include, but not limited to:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Maine Medical Association work with health organizations and regulatory agencies to bring to the public’s attention the scientific information of known medical consequences of wind development;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Maine Medical Association: 1) encourage performance of studies on health effects of wind turbine generation by independent qualified researchers at qualified research institutions; 2) ensure that physicians and patients alike are informed of evidence-based research results.
Download original document: “Resolution Concerning Wind Energy and Public Health [1]”
Download 2011 resolution withdrawing support of medical studies [2]
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/resolution-concerning-wind-energy-and-public-health/
URLs in this post:
[1] Resolution Concerning Wind Energy and Public Health: https://docs.wind-watch.org/MMA-2009-Resolution-7.pdf
[2] Download 2011 resolution withdrawing support of medical studies: https://docs.wind-watch.org/2011-Resolution-1-Global-Climate-Change-Wind-Power.pdf