A report commissioned by the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is going to do very little to settle the debate over just how close wind turbines should be located to homes and it's not likely to be welcomed by those fighting proposed wind farms in their backyards - such as those opposing the plan to erect turbines in the Gulf Shore region of Cumberland County.

In the report, consultants Jacques Whitford suggest it should be left up to individual municipalities to set the rules relating to wind turbines. They feel a cookie-cutter approach with one set of rules for everyone simply will not work.

The 117-page report concludes there are no internationally accepted standards for dealing with controversial issues surrounding wind farms, especially when it comes to things like setbacks, the impact on real estate values and noise.

There is a patchwork of rules and bylaws across Canada and the United States for dealing with wind farms and many have looked to Europe where the industry has been well established for a lot longer than in North America. Unfortunately, a case can be made either for or against wind turbines and there's no real way to separate fact from fiction.

Opponents of the Gulf Shore project have been lobbying government to place a moratorium on future wind farm proposals until it can establish its own rules governing their location.

They feel municipalities being hungry for the tax revenues these projects will provide may overlook residents' concerns in the name of an increased tax base. For wind turbine neighbours, they feel the noise, shadow flicker and vibrations will make their lives simply unbearable and drive down property values and be a blight on the landscape.

Those proposing and supporting these projects feel they can co-exist with neighbouring homes as long as things are done right the first time.

Unfortunately, the UNSM consultants' report does not address this and it's very unlikely government is going to step in and clarify things anytime soon.