Liberal government puts wind energy companies’ agendas first
The Maintoulin Expositor, www.manitoulin.ca 17 November 2010
The Maintoulin Expositor, www.manitoulin.ca 17 November 2010
A recent article from Bayshore Broadcasting reports, “He voted for the moratorium because opposition leader Tim Hudak indicated if he was elected, municipalities without a moratorium or resolution opposing wind turbines will be left powerless over future development.”
Why is it important for communities to educate themselves and to have a say in turbine siting?
Across the province, Ontarians are becoming increasingly aware of problems with wind energy slated to go next to families and schools.
The Green Energy Act, brought forward by wind-industry groups, among others, has lobbied this current Liberal government to put policy before people.
In turn, this government has produced Dr. Arlene King’s report, a desktop literature review, claiming no evidence of direct adverse health effects to date. The report was produced without speaking to the many people who are sick since the startup of turbines in proximity to their homes, some with turbines well beyond a 550-metre setback. Dr. King’s report is used over and over again by the industry and by a Liberal government hell-bent to put turbines all over this province.
There is no study by health professionals to tell us that turbines are safe to be anywhere near people at all. In fact, there is a growing body of evidence to the contrary. Dr. King, although invited, did not attend the first international symposium on the global wind industry and adverse health effects, held in October, to hear the latest data that says there are most definitely problems with turbines anywhere near our rural families.
The Green Energy Act leaves us with a meaningless ‘science fair’ of wind company meetings claiming to be public consultation. It leaves people doubting their own government and its official agencies, for good reason.
Wind industry’s first priority is to create profit. I get it. Industry is unlikely to discredit its own product. Turbine density and building close to existing grids equals a higher profit margin. I do, however, take issue with a government that is supposed to be there to look out for our best interests turning into a government that puts the wind-company agenda first.
Lorrie Gillis
Grey Highlands
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/17/liberal-government-puts-wind-energy-companies-agendas-first/