Wind power no panacea
W. DEAN TRENTOWSKY MITCHELL www.stratfordbeaconherald.com
In reply to your June 10 story, Minister Says Ontario’s On Track, while Ontario’s air may contain fewer emissions of CO2, NOx and nasty particulate matter, Environment Minister John Wilkinson refuses to acknowledge (at the peril of himself and Ontario citizens) that industrial wind turbines (IWTs) and their associated infrastructure (i. e. transformer stations, hydro lines) emit their own forms of pollution (i. e. noise and electrical pollution). In turn, this pollution leads to associated health problems that are seriously detrimental in nature.
We have witnessed Wilkinson tell Ontario citizens time and again that Ontario’s Green Energy Act and its regulations are the best in the world and that they are science based.
Firstly, the Green Energy Act “science” is based on literature reviews and on computer modelling. This “science” is NOT founded on empirical evidencebased research which is being recommended by Dr. Robert McMurtry, professor emeritus and former dean of the University of Western Ontario School of Medicine). Repeated calls have also been made by Dr. McMurtry and others to conduct proper evidencebased epidemiological study – meaning to study the effect of IWTs on humans and to stop using computer modelling. People are NOT computers!!!
Meanwhile, multitudes of Ontario municipalities have sent written requests to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and the Government of Ontario, asking for a moratorium on the development of IWT projects until the aforementioned study findings are received and carefully analysed.
Secondly, on Feb. 3, in a presentation to Perth County council, both Wilkinson and an MOE official openly admitted that the 40 dBA audible noise limit specifications cannot be enforced as required by the GEA and its regulations.
Thirdly, the GEA and its regulations completely ignore consideration of infrasound and low frequency noise problems. On Feb. 3 both Wilkinson and the MOE representative admitted that the MOE has NO means available to enforce and prosecute infrasound and low frequency noise problems. It is little wonder why NO consideration was given towards these forms of noise from the outset.
For Mr. Wilkinson, or anyone else, to suggest/ imply that health problems cannot be linked to IWTs is fallacy and offers false security to Ontario citizens. industrial wind turbines in Ontario are linked to noise and electrical pollution (i. e. audible noise exceeding 40 dBA, infrasound and low frequency noise, stray voltage). IWT pollution harms human and animal health. These problems are being experienced in Huron-Kinloss Township near Ripley, Shelburne, Ridgetown and Port Rowan.
Having Wilkinson posing with a stack of studies fails to refute the growing evidence that people (and animals) in Ontario and around the world are experiencing discomfort and annoyance caused by IWT pollution. IWT pollution interferes and disrupts people’s lives, leading to declining health, which is quickly coupled by a dismal downward spiral of economic, social and personal unravelling.
Wilkinson has stated that both he and the MOE “wear the referee shirt” and carry the “big stick,” wielding the power needed to enforce MOE regulations and thereby protect Ontario.
Replacing Ontario’s coal plants with IWTs substitutes one set of air pollutants for another set of air/ sound and ground pollutants. This is NOT protecting Ontario in the way that Wilkinson would have us believe it is.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/16/wind-power-no-panacea/