November 2, 2007
Scotland
Scotland
Campaigners have challenged an energy company to put their money where their mouth is in a row over alleged health risks surrounding a proposed wind farm.
Endrick Valley Action Group (EVAG) has issued an ultimatum to npower renewables to pay for the medical care of anyone whose health is affected by the nine turbines it hopes to build on Ballindalloch Muir near Balfron.
But the company says it won’t be entering into any such legal agreement as there is no need.
The demand is the latest move in the row over whether noise and low frequency vibration from the turbines has an effect on people living near wind farms.
EVAG claims there is mounting medical and scientific evidence from around the world that the noise, particularly low frequency noise, can cause headaches and other ailments.
Chairman Gordon Adams said: “There is a huge amount of evidence from scientists and medical experts who say the various forms of noise from wind turbines can cause health problems for people living nearby.
“However, all through the recent consultation process, npower have claimed people will not be bothered by the noise from these monster wind turbines they are planning to build on our countryside.
“And they also deny there will be any health problems caused by the wind farm.
“If npower are so confident of this, we are calling for them to put their money where their mouth is and sign a legally binding indemnity agreement against children at the local schools and anyone in the community becoming ill from the effects of the turbines.”
Mr Adams added: “EVAG’s lawyers can draw up an indemnity agreement if npower and their parent company will agree to the principle, which would mean anyone who has health problems caused by the proposed wind turbines would have their medical bills paid by npower.”
An npower renewables spokesperson said: “We have never been approached by EVAG regarding their ‘put your money where your mouth is’ ultimatum, and only learned of it from the Stirling Observer.
“Whilst wind farm opponents regularly claim that wind farms lead to negative health effects, to date no peer reviewed evidence has ever been produced to substantiate these claims.
“Npower renewables will not be entering into any kind of indemnity agreement.”
2 November 2007
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Endrick Valley Action Group (EVAG): www.evag.co.uk
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/11/02/campaign-group-throws-down-challenge-to-energy-company/