http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/21270 Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Massive turbines tower over this residence on picturesque Wolfe Island off the coast of Ontario Canada. The three turbines are part of a project including 86-towers. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21270 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21271 Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT The enormity of the industrial-scale turbine on Wolfe Island is clear in the context of the adjacent residence. Wolfe Island now has 86-turbines towering over 400-feet in height. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21271 http://www.windaction.org/articles/20863 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:25:14 GMT A row of windmills towering over some nearby houses. The close proximity of the windmills to the houses have caused a number of serious health problems for the residents inside. http://www.windaction.org/articles/20863 http://www.windaction.org/articles/18044 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:08:05 GMT This photo was taken at the house of a farmer who was forced to sell his farm at a considerable discount because of the arrival of the wind turbines. He feels fortunate to have sold it at all. Many other homes in the district have been for sale without buyers for many months. Location: Enbridge in Bruce Township, near Kincardine Ontario. http://www.windaction.org/articles/18044 http://www.windaction.org/articles/15281 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:46:49 GMT The wind turbine on the left in the image is located about one-half mile from the residence. This picture hints at the scale of the turbines in relation to the surrounding landscape. http://www.windaction.org/articles/15281 http://www.windaction.org/articles/8364 Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:47:59 GMT Residents of the coastal community of St. Leandre de Matane asked PQ leader Andre Boisclair to "humanize" the development of wind energy if he is elected premier. Wind farms, like this one in Cap Chat, are a noisy blight on the landscape, residents charge. http://www.windaction.org/articles/8364 http://www.windaction.org/articles/3004 Sat, 13 May 2006 11:43:45 GMT The large house in Lower West Pubnico is now empty and abandoned, d'Entremont says, because inaudible sound from the 17-turbine wind farm made his family sick. [for complete story - http://www.windwatch.org/news/3003) http://www.windaction.org/articles/3004 http://www.windaction.org/articles/2010 Sun, 12 Mar 2006 13:42:16 GMT Dr. Nina Pierpont of Malone, N.Y., has interviewed them as part of her research into this problem. She testified before the New York State Legislature Energy Committee on March 7. A 68-KB PDF of her testimony is available at AWEO.org. Here is an excerpt.

Three doctors that I know of are studying the Wind Turbine Syndrome: myself, one in England, and one in Australia. We note the same sets of symptoms. The symptoms start when local turbines go into operation and resolve when the turbines are off or when the person is out of the area. The symptoms include:

1. Sleep problems: noise or physical sensations of pulsation or pressure make it hard to go to sleep and cause frequent awakening.

2. Headaches which are increased in frequency or severity.

3. Dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea.

4. Exhaustion, anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression.

5. Problems with concentration and learning.

6. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Not everyone near turbines has these symptoms. This does not mean people are making them up; it means there are differences among people in susceptibility. These differences are known as risk factors. Defining risk factors and the proportion of people who get symptoms is the role of epidemiologic studies. These studies are under way. Chronic sleep disturbance is the most common symptom. Exhaustion, mood problems, and problems with concentration and learning are natural outcomes of poor sleep.

Sensitivity to low frequency vibration is a risk factor. Contrary to assertions of the wind industry, some people feel disturbing amounts of vibration or pulsation from wind turbines, and can count in their bodies, especially their chests, the beats of the blades passing the towers, even when they can’t hear or see them. Sensitivity to low frequency vibration in the body or ears is highly variable in people, and hence poorly understood and the subject of much debate.

Another risk factor is a preexisting migraine disorder. Migraine is not just a bad headache; it’s a complex neurologic phenomenon which affects the visual, hearing, and balance systems, and can even affect motor control and consciousness itself. Many people with migraine disorder have increased sensitivity to noise and to motion -- they get carsick as youngsters, and seasick, and very sick on carnival rides. Migraine-associated vertigo (which is the spinning type of dizziness, often with nausea) is a described medical entity. Migraine occurs in 12% of Americans. It is a common, familial, inherited condition.

]]> Here is a picture of the d'Entremont home in Nova Scotia, where their ancestors have lived since the 1870s. Daniel and Carolyn d'Entremont, with their 6 children, had to abandon it on Feb. 21, 2006, because of "wind turbine syndrome," the cluster of symptoms being found around the world where people live near giant wind turbines. Dr. Nina Pierpont of Malone, N.Y., has interviewed them as part of her research into this problem. She testified before the New York State Legislature Energy Committee on March 7. A 68-KB PDF of her testimony is available at AWEO.org. Here is an excerpt. Three doctors that I know of are studying the Wind Turbine Syndrome: myself, one in England, and one in Australia. We note the same sets of symptoms. The symptoms start when local turbines go into operation and resolve when the turbines are off or when the person is out of the area. The symptoms include: 1. Sleep problems: noise or physical sensations of pulsation or pressure make it hard to go to sleep and cause frequent awakening. 2. Headaches which are increased in frequency or severity. 3. Dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea. 4. Exhaustion, anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression. 5. Problems with concentration and learning. 6. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Not everyone near turbines has these symptoms. This does not mean people are making them up; it means there are differences among people in susceptibility. These differences are known as risk factors. Defining risk factors and the proportion of people who get symptoms is the role of epidemiologic studies. These studies are under way. Chronic sleep disturbance is the most common symptom. Exhaustion, mood problems, and problems with concentration and learning are natural outcomes of poor sleep. Sensitivity to low frequency vibration is a risk factor. Contrary to assertions of the wind industry, some people feel disturbing amounts of vibration or pulsation from wind turbines, and can count in their bodies, especially their chests, the beats of the blades passing the towers, even when they can’t hear or see them. Sensitivity to low frequency vibration in the body or ears is highly variable in people, and hence poorly understood and the subject of much debate. Another risk factor is a preexisting migraine disorder. Migraine is not just a bad headache; it’s a complex neurologic phenomenon which affects the visual, hearing, and balance systems, and can even affect motor control and consciousness itself. Many people with migraine disorder have increased sensitivity to noise and to motion -- they get carsick as youngsters, and seasick, and very sick on carnival rides. Migraine-associated vertigo (which is the spinning type of dizziness, often with nausea) is a described medical entity. Migraine occurs in 12% of Americans. It is a common, familial, inherited condition. http://www.windaction.org/articles/2010 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24182 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:46:35 GMT Bruce County is calling on the province to study the health effects of wind turbines. "The province has stated that they are not going to do a health study. We're going to encourage them with a letter hoping that they will do an independent study for the health concerns that are out there now and possibly down the road," said Huron-Kinloss Mayor Mitch Twolan. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24182 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24170 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:25:18 GMT Despite contentious debate last week over whether the town should open itself up to wind energy proposals at all, council decided in the end it was best to put the needed regulations in place instead of leaving the town without a strategy to guide a sector that is fast developing around the world. Coun. Margaret Tusz-King said the new wind power regulations, which were approved as part of Sackville's new zoning bylaw last Monday night, include "stringent limitations on how and where turbines will be erected." http://www.windaction.org/articles/24170 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24186 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:48:31 GMT Provincial plans to create a streamlined approval process for renewable energy projects have been met with a bevy of objections ...Officials tout it as a means of creating "green" jobs ...Many stakeholders, however, aren't entirely pleased with what's on the table. ...Perhaps the most significant hot-button issue is the 550-metre minimum separation between renewable energy projects and residences. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24186 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24152 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:10:52 GMT The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is asking Ottawa to fund more scientific research into the potential health effects of wind turbines. The organization has asked the government to focus on two areas: low-frequency noise and electrical disturbances from industrial-scale wind developments. The issue was raised in September by three municipalities from Ontario at a national board of directors meeting. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24152 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24111 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:02:36 GMT Six Digby Neck residents will visit Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau Wednesday in Halifax to ask a few questions about a planned wind turbine park. "We're trying to find out his reasoning for approving this turbine site in the first place," Evelyn Hayden said Monday. "We're just a group of concerned citizens that are trying to protect the health of everybody down here." http://www.windaction.org/articles/24111 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24094 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:30:16 GMT Prince Edward County councillors and members of the public left the Nov. 10 special meeting over a new proposed windmill bylaw for the municipality at Shire Hall feeling impotent, bemoaning the unanswered questions. "In my opinion, the mark was missed. And in a lot of ways, it feels like we're beating a dead horse because, in the game of politics, the Ontario government trumps municipalities. And if the province doesn't want it, then the province isn't going to care what we have on paper," said Prince Edward County councillor Kevin Gale. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24094 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24054 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:16:28 GMT It was another restless night in a long string of interrupted sleep. Amaranth's Leo Mendonca didn't feel quite right, like something was wrong, but he didn't know what, or why. When he got out of bed, he was struck by a wave of nausea. ...Thinking some fresh air may do the trick, he headed out to the garden. There, he looked up and saw what he now believes is the source of his troubles ... an industrial-sized wind turbine about 600 metres away, and many more within sight. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24054 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23897 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:10:26 GMT Local wind farm opponents vowed yesterday to keep pushing for independent studies into the effects wind turbines have on people. Ontario legislators rejected Bruce- Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch's call to halt industrial wind farm development until the province's top doctor can assure the government turbines don't harm people living nearby. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23897 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23874 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:10:10 GMT Tory MPP Bill Murdoch's resolution calling for a moratorium on new wind turbines in Ontario pending confirmation that there are no adverse health effects on humans stalled in the legislature. Murdoch said his resolution was drafted in response to concerns about wind power raised by hundreds of people in his riding and across the province. "I'm disappointed and where the people go from here I don't know," Murdoch said yesterday. "The government of the day has decided that they don't count by turning down my resolution." http://www.windaction.org/articles/23874 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23858 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:22:38 GMT Three months after the Ripley Wind Farm went online in December, 2007, Dave Colling's phone started ringing. Three of his neighbours were seeing doctors about recurring ear aches. They knew Colling, a former dairy farmer who lives within two kilometres of the turbines near the southern Bruce County community, had an interest in and could test for what he calls "electrical pollution." "It's like living inside a microwave. It radiates," Colling told more than 100 people Tuesday night in Keady. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23858 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23857 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:09:04 GMT Ontario Medical Officer of Health Arlene King told a legislative committee Tuesday she wants more information about health effects of wind turbines. That's different than what a Ministry of Health spokesman told The Sun Times was King's position Tuesday, that there's no link between the noise turbines make and adverse health effects. David Jensen also said government rules covering placement of turbines and reviews of scientific literature are enough to determine a moratorium on new wind farms is not needed. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23857 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23844 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:47:58 GMT Ontario's Medical Officer of Health Arlene King doesn't see any scientific evidence that links wind turbines with adverse health effects. When contacted yesterday, Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care spokesperson David Jensen said it is King's position that there is no link between the noise turbines make and adverse health effects people claim to be experiencing, such as severe headaches and joint and muscle aches. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23844