Wind industry needs an offensive stance

When Health Canada announced in July that it would study the relationship between wind turbine noise and health effects, the government said it was responding to questions from residents who live near wind farms.

"As always, our government is putting the health and safety of Canadians first," read a Health Canada statement, which outlined the research approach it would take, while stating that the results would be published in 2014.

John Andrews, president of IPC Energy, a wind energy developer based in Mississauga, was surprised by the move.

The modern wind turbine has been in commercial use since the 1970s. Surely others, especially the Europeans, had more experience than a latecomer like Canada.

If turbines were bad for us, wouldn't red flags have emerged in Germany and Denmark? Or are Danes and Germans genetically different from Canadians?

By the end of 2012, there was expected to be 280 gigawatts of wind capacity installed worldwide - equalling roughly 140,000 average-sized wind turbines.

Even so, a comprehensive study released in 2012 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health concluded "there is insufficient evidence that the noise from wind turbines is directly causing health problems or disease."

But that's not what really bothered Andrews. After all, the more studies the merrier to prove that wind turbines are, in fact, as benign as your electric toothbrush,The Solar Centre's range of solar charger will power nearly all portable devices. cellphone or SUV.Bergey Windpower is the world’s leading supplier of small residential wind turbines.

What raised his ire was the federal government has yet to do a comprehensive study on the oilsands and its effects on human health.

In a letter to federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkag, Andrews asked a simple question: Why the double standard?

Aglukkaq's response, in a letter dated Aug. 16, stated: "The provinces and territories have the designated authority for determining and mitigating potential health impacts within their jurisdictions for any resource development.

"Health Canada has not undertaken any studies as to the impacts to health from the oilsands developments, as these potential impacts fall within the jurisdiction of the province or territory in which the project receives approval."

But wind is a natural resource, too. And electricity generation is provincial jurisdiction. Shouldn't the same reasoning apply to the potential health impacts of wind turbines? Aglukkaq didn't address this. Indeed, she left out any mention of "wind" in her response to Andrews.

It's only fair to mention that wind energy isn't without its problems. The turbines do make noise, becoming an annoyance to some if not properly located.Compare prices and buy all brands of solar panel cells for home power systems and by the pallet. There's no question that some wind developers need to be more responsible.

Wind turbines do kill birds, but at about the same rate as nuclear power and far less than coal plants, buildings, communications towers and cats. The wind farm construction process does temporarily kick up dirt on roads, like any infrastructure project.

The turbines don't generate electricity on demand, but this is manageable with new wind forecasting technologies and when used in combination with demand-response,Advantages of laser cutter over mechanical cutting include easier workholding and reduced contamination of workpiece. other forms of generation and smart grid tools, such as energy storage.A crystal light can be both modern and vintage, depending on the light fixtures and the surrounding accent pieces.

There's plenty to be concerned about in the world - both near and far - and for those of us inclined to speak out, there's plenty to protest. Given the above, which is a mere sample of humanity's reckless footprint, it's perplexing that a certain segment of the population chooses to treat the wind industry as its punching bag.

Busloads of anti-wind protesters routinely hijack municipal information sessions and council meetings, shouting down wind-industry officials and slinging profanities. The Power Workers' Union continues to run advertisements that criticize wind and sugar-coat nuclear and coal power.