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For Immediate Release More Study needed on Wind Turbines Queen’s Park – Today in the Ontario Legislature, the McGuinty government voted down an opposition day motion that would have required a study of the health impacts of wind turbines and allowed municipalities and residents to have a say in where the turbines are located. “I support renewable energy but we should not allow the government to force wind turbines into communities without determining the impact on the health of the people who live there,” said Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP. “The people of Ontario and their elected municipal officials should get a say in what happens in their town.” The opposition day motion read as follows: As part of the Green Energy Act the McGuinty government exempted wind turbines from the traditional planning process, such that municipalities and residents no longer have a say in where they are located. “The government has said that turbines can be located 550 metres from homes, but they haven’t provided scientific evidence for that distance,” said Hardeman. “What do we do if we discover the setback should be 650 metres, 1000 metres or 2000 metres?” A number of residents from Oxford who are concerned about wind turbines were at the Legislature today for a rally and to attend the Opposition Day motion. During the rally there were a number of speakers who live near turbines and reported negative effects on their health such as sleep deprivation, headaches and dizziness. “I’ve heard from many people who live near turbines and they are reporting major health problems as a result,” said Hardeman. “A responsible and caring government would make sure they had fully investigated those stories and examined the health impacts before they approve more turbines.” - 30 -
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