WCO Position On ORC-RETH

Background:  Recently the Dunnville Chronicle reported that, "The University of Waterloo is about to embark on what they are calling an extensive study to discover the health effects, if any, of wind turbines on residents living nearby."  The article noted the Philip Bigelow and Dr. Mahtab Camali, without specifying the Ontario Research Chair in Renewable Energy Technologies and Health (ORC-RETH).  The selection of area for studies was championed by Stephana Johnson before the Haldimand-Norfolk Board of Health, resulting in that board passing a resolution advocating for the inclusion of "affected residents form the Clear Creek/Cultus/Frogmore" zones in the RETH project.

Statement on ORC-RETH

Wind Concerns Ontario is aware that residents of Ontario living with industrial wind turbines are being encouraged to participate in a research project being carried out at the University of Waterloo (the ORC-RETH project). This research may also extend to residents who are not presently living in the vicinity of wind power generation projects.  

In announcing the awarding of the Research Chair funded by the Ministry of the Environment (Ontario), the College of Ontario Universities summarized the project in this statement: "[the] research program will develop new technical approaches and will provide guidelines in setting standards to ensure health and safety in the manufacturing, use, and end-of-life phases of renewable energy technologies."

Wind Concerns Ontario welcomes the idea of clinical research into the effects of the environmental noise and vibration produced by wind power generation. However, we have serious concerns that this research appears to be comparing the noise from industrial wind turbines to other forms of industrial noise. Experts in the field have stated that wind turbine noise is unique and unlike any other industrial noise source.

In addition, the bulk of the research activity seems directed toward finding engineering solutions for the noise. We also note that this project does not at present have approval from an internal ethics committee at the host university. These are serious issues.  

We wish to reiterate that it is important for all potential participants to ask questions prior to their involvement, to reassure themselves as to issues of confidentiality and the end use of the data from this project.

Finally, if anyone is considering legal action, consulting a lawyer prior to participation in this research study is advised. If you are concerned, please get in touch with us at windconcerns@gmail and we will endeavour to provide you with the appropriate resources. Thank you.

--Jane Wilson,

President

Wind Concerns Ontario