Turbines out of reach

Officials tell frustrated crowd there's little they can do about wind farm health concerns

Medical officer of health Dr. Hazel Lynn told a crowd of angry citizens opposed to wind farms last night that she also has concerns about health effects of the giant turbines, but lacks the power to alter green-energy legislation.

“I certainly appreciate the fact that people are suffering and I want to know why and what to do about it,” she said during an information meeting at the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

However Lynn told the crowd of about 120 that their anger and frustration is aimed at the wrong people because the health unit has no influence over new Green Energy Act rules aimed at streamlining the construction of wind farms.

Keynote speaker Dr. Ray Copes echoed Lynn’s comments as the crowd grew increasingly frustrated.

“We can talk here all night, but if the people you’re talking to have no power, you really need to evaluate who you’re talking to,” said Copes, director of environment and occupation health for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion.

Health unit health protection director Chris Munn said, at best, the audience’s concerns will form part of a letter the agency will send to Queen’s Park and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch.

Lynn said the meeting was meant to provide information to the public about wind turbines. She said while the health unit is charged with investigating health concerns, the agency does not have “the facility” to perform local health studies related to the effect of turbines.

Copes, a new staffer with the ministry, gave a one-hour slideshow presentation about health concerns and safety risks linked to wind turbines.

He said many problems — such as ice projectiles, shadow flicker and mechanical/structural malfunctions — can be solved with proper setback regulations.