Australian Government continues to work with communities to resolve wind farm concerns

The Australian Government is committed to continuing to work with local communities and industry to resolve concerns about possible health impacts from wind farms.

The Government welcomes the report from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) looking into the evidence of impacts from exposure to wind farm noise.

The NHMRC Information Paper: Evidence on Wind Farms and Human Health found no consistent evidence that exposure to wind farm noise affects human physical or mental health but concluded further high quality research is warranted. It also found that there is some evidence that wind farm noise is associated with annoyance and parallel evidence suggests that prolonged annoyance due to noise may result in stress, which can have adverse effects on human health.

The report found that only 13 of 4,000 studies internationally have looked at the possible relationships between wind farm emissions and health outcomes. Only one of these 13 studies was conducted in Australia, showing a clear lack of research based around Australia’s unique environmental conditions.

The NHMRC also found this small number of studies to be of poor quality, including a failure by any studies to undertake monitoring of impacts on health within affected residents’ homes.

The Government supports the NHMRC’s decision to commission further high-quality research to fill current information gaps.

It’s essential for everyone involved – including both residents and the renewable energy sector – that credible evidence is gathered to ensure a considered position based on hard facts, not emotion and vested-interests can be established.

The Australian Government recognises that some members of the community are concerned about the development of wind farms.

Just as we promised prior to the election, we are listening to Australians worried about potential health effects caused by wind farms and we are working to resolve these concerns, including by independent analysis.

The Government will examine the report and will be reviewing the results of the targeted research to consider how noise from wind farms may affect human health, so that any approach to measuring noise can be targeted appropriately.

Media contacts: Minister Macfarlane’s office 02 6277 7070

Australian Government continues to work with communities to resolve wind farm concerns

Eastern Colorado VA resumes surgeries after concerns about air-handling units

DENVER – Surgeries are once again being done at the Denver VA after concerns were raised about its air-handling units.

The Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System resumed surgical procedures Thursday. Officials say testing showed the units were working properly and that the air quality meets health care standards. As a precaution, all of the air handlers that were inspected were given new air filters.

The VA says 115 procedures were canceled since surgeries were stopped on Friday. Of those, 17 were done by other hospitals. The other veterans will have to reschedule their surgeries and the VA says they will receive priority treatment.

The system is based in Denver and serves veterans throughout the Front Range.

Eastern Colorado VA resumes surgeries after concerns about air-handling units

Wind turbine near hydro and water lines raises concerns

WIND TURBINE

Michael Ainsworth,McClatchy-Tribune

Residents in Dunnville are worried that wind turbines are being built too close to hydro and water lines.

DUNNVILLE Residents opposed to a Haldimand County wind project say they’re concerned about at least one turbine being built too close to hydro and water lines.

However, the Grand Renewable Energy Park developer Samsung says it’s following all laws and regulations.

“The REA (Renewable Energy Approval) does not require specific setbacks from water mains,” Samsung spokesperson Tim Smitheman said. “Each turbine has received a building permit from the Haldimand municipality.”

Ministry of the Environment spokesperson Lindsay Davidson said the Green Energy Act only contains setback requirements for noise, natural heritage and water bodies.

Brad Smith, who lives just outside Dunnville and has a turbine under construction just 900 metres from his property, said he believes there should be setback requirements for hydro and water lines.

“The Green Energy Act just supersedes anything,” he said.

Smith, who is part of the group Wind Concerns Haldimand, said the project has decreased his property value and the trucks for the construction have destroyed roads.

Haldimand County has agreements with wind turbine companies operating in the area to fix the roads.

The specific turbine in question is number 67 in the project and sits on a Haldimand Tract farm, near the intersection with Haldimand Trail.

Smitherman said the project “has followed every municipal and provincial guideline in its planning and construction phases while creating over 300 construction jobs in the local community.”

Wind turbine near hydro and water lines raises concerns