For Immediate Release
November 8, 2012
“Current regulations seem to be insufficient to adequately protect the human population living close to IWTs.”
(Queen’s Park)— Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is joining the Opposition Deputy Critic for Energy in highlighting findings of a study titled, Effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep and health, co-authored by a Fergus resident that point to health risks because of Industrial Wind Towers.
The recently released peer reviewed study, identifies the noise level from wind turbines as an important public health issue.
“We conclude that the noise emissions of IWTs disturbed the sleep and caused daytime sleepiness and impaired mental health in residents living within 1.4 km of the two IWT installations studied. Industrial wind turbine noise is a further source of environmental noise, with the potential to harm human health,” the study indicates. “Our research suggests that adverse effects are observed at distances even beyond 1 km.”
The study, published in the Noise and Health international journal was co-authored by Fergus resident Jeffery J Aramini, along with Michael A Nissenbaum, and Christopher D Hanning.
Prior to the Premier shutting down the Legislature, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson introduced four separate motions calling for a moratorium on wind farm development until the full economic, social, environmental, and health impacts are understood. In fact, since the inception of the Green Energy Act the Official Opposition has made countless attempts, through resolutions, private members bills, petitions, Opposition motions, and news conferences to call for government to implement a moratorium.
“As 200 plus wind turbines march on our area, we continue to hear concerns over the impact of turbines on our way of life,” stated Barrett. “The Federal Government is conducting a health study, but the provincial Government has effectively closed its ears to the mounting evidence of negative impact.
The McGuinty Liberals are expanding the much criticized feed-in tariff (FIT) program and preparing to award contracts for large projects in 2013. The FIT program subsidizes renewable energy producers, which drives up the cost of energy and many have complained about the lack of transparency in decisions to set subsidy rates and award contracts.
“This study confirms what we’ve been hearing from rural communities – there are negative health impacts from wind farms,” said Lisa Thompson, Huron-Bruce MPP and PC Deputy Critic for Energy. “It is the government’s job to keep Ontarians safe and the McGuinty Liberal government is risking the health of rural residents without having all the facts.”
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629