November 13, 2010
Ontario

Over 400 residents attend wind turbine meeting

By Stephanie Sisler. West Niagara News, westniagaranews.ca

The West Lincoln Wind Action Group (WLWAG) held a public meeting on November 10 to inform residents about the dangers of industrial wind turbines. Over 400 people showed up to hear about the concerns.

The Wind Turbine Industry has proposed to install five wind turbines in West Lincoln, on Westbrook Road, between 20 road, 16 road and Concession Road 5. The five initial turbines are stage one of a several stage proposal to install several more wind turbines in West Lincoln. Neil Switzer, Chairman of WLWAG, explained that the wind turbines are as high as a 50 storey building and have serious impacts on health and property values. He also explained that the proposals are approved by the Province of Ontario, and the municipality of West Lincoln and the Region of Niagara do not have the authority to turn it down. He is hoping that if enough people in West Lincoln strongly oppose the proposal, the province will decide not to install the industrial wind turbines in the area.

“People living near these turbines are experiencing dizziness, vertigo, headaches, and an inability to sleep any night,” he explained. “Homes are being abandoned because they are unlivable.”

Several speakers discussed the health effects they have experienced due to living near wind turbines, including nausea, muscle twitches, ear congestion.

“You actually become more sensitized to it (the low frequency noise) and many families in rural Ontario have had to actually abandon their homes as it was so intolerable,” said Switzer.

The value of homes also drops, Switzer explained that it decreases between 25 to 40 per cent, leaving residents without their most valuable asset.

John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, the provincial organization overseeing 50 similar concerned community groups from across the province urged all citizens to get informed, support your local wind action group and demand the Province halt all further Industrial wind turbine projects until proper health studies are conducted and appropriate setbacks established. He said the turbine projects can be stopped just like the recent cancellation of the proposed Oakville generating station when enough people speak out.

Switzer explained that the Wind Turbine Industry is planning another Public Meeting in West Lincoln next month, but a date has not been set yet.

He is hoping residents come out and get informed about this very harmful situation.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/13/over-400-residents-attend-wind-turbine-meeting/