There's doubt about 'greenness' of wind farms

Re: Councillor urges study of wind farms for health risks, June 22.

Councillor Glenn Brooks is right to call for a study of the health effects of wind farms before more construction takes place. But his appeal does not go far enough.

In its headlong rush to appear to have "green" policies, the McGuinty government has jumped on the green power bandwagon and has rejected science and engineering as well as economic, social and environmental considerations when it comes to implementing the so-called "green energy" plan.

Normal practice would include studies to show that wind power is in fact green and that it is a viable alternative to other power generation methods. Because the construction of these "farms" will drastically alter the very nature of many rural areas, one might at least expect sociological studies. To the best of my knowledge, none of these studies have been done in any meaningful way.

Incredibly, Dalton McGuinty has even thrown out the requirement for a full environmental report. It's ironic considering the stated impetus for the wind farm program.

I suspect that the need for these studies has been rejected because the McGuinty government is bound and determined to go ahead no matter what the costs and consequences, and because politicians are fearful that these studies would cast doubt on the worth and "greenness" of wind power.

On top of all that they have made it clear that the opinions of local governments and the people they represent are of no concern to them -- dissent will not be tolerated.

I applaud the efforts of Ottawa Councillor Brooks and those municipalities which have already passed resolutions calling for some sober second thought, but I fear that the intransigent nature of our present government will render them futile.