The Maine Osteopathic Association Board of Directors adopted this important resolution regarding wind energy development and public health at its September 25, 2009 meeting.

WHEREAS, proposals to locate and build commercial wind energy facilities in the State of Maine have at times been controversial due to concerns regarding the potential effects of such facilities on the public's health, and

WHEREAS, the trade off between the public good of generating electricity and the apparent adverse health effects warrant appropriate evidence-based scientific research, and

WHEREAS, assessing the potential health impact of wind turbines has been difficult to measure but if present would be of significant concern. This is especially apparent regarding the noise level and other noise characteristics specific to industrial wind turbines, and

WHEREAS, there is a need for modification of the State's regulatory process of siting wind energy developments to reduce the potential controversy regarding the siting of grid-scale wind energy development and to address health controversy with regulatory changes to include, but not limited to:

a.) Refining certain procedures of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission to reflect scientific evidence regarding potential health effects, and to further explore such potential health effects;

b.) Judging the effects of wind energy development on potential public health by avoiding unreasonable noise and shadow flicker effects, with development setbacks and incorporating up-to-date noise regulations specific for industrial wind turbines adequate to protect public health and safety.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Maine Osteopathic Association work with health organizations and regulatory agencies to bring to the public's attention the evidenced-based, scientific information regarding known medical consequences of wind development.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that he Maine Osteopathic Association 1). encourage performance studies on health effects of wind turbine generation by independent qualified research institutions, and 2). ensure that physicians and patients alike are informed of evidence-based research results.