National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » Wind turbine development still a hot button issue in area

The hot button issue of wind turbine development was the topic of discussion at the Jan. 11 Huron-Kinloss general committee meeting. Cheryl Murray and Wayne Couture, on behalf of Huron-Kinloss Against Lakeside Turbines (HALT), presented concerns and an appeal for support in their fight against wind turbine development.

HALT requested Huron-Kinloss council to have a health study done on the effects of industrial wind turbines and said HALT would donate financially to have it done.

Murray said the effects of turbines in the area, and in other municipalities where people have complained, include sleep disturbances, headaches, nausea, tinnitus (continuous ringing in the ear), exhaustion and the threat of learning impairment.

Murray would like to see turbines set back 1.5 km to 2 km instead of the stated 150m to 500m from residential areas.

The presentation continued with the call for a bylaw to be put in place until Dr. Hazel Lynn, medical officer of health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit, has completed a study she is doing on the supposed health effects wind turbines may have on people.

Council supports HALT in their endeavors and will take the proposed bylaw by HALT under advisement.

Murray is appreciative of how supportive Huron-Kinloss council has been to them and councillor Jim Hanna is on board with their concerns.

“You are preaching to the choir. We support your group’s activities,” said Hanna. “We are an open book and we will look to work with you the whole way.”

Murray also said making people aware of these concerns is important because educating people on the importance of these issues is key. She believes there are so many misconceptions of how green wind turbines actually are. She said wind turbines must be paired to fossil fuel powered turbines to make them work.

HALT is attempting to gather all of the groups against wind turbine development together in Ontario to help mount an advertising offensive against the wind turbine companies.

HALT was looking for council’s support on a moratorium on the building of industrial wind turbines until a proper study on their effects could be done. Council was tentative on this request.

“We just open ourselves up for litigation when we seek a moratorium,” said Huron-Kinloss Mayor Mitch Twolan. “Our money could be spent better than giving it to lawyers.