The Grey Bruce Health Unit is shutting the book on its public information meetings on wind turbines.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn says her job was to investigate the complaints and report back to the board of health – and that’s what she’s done.
Dr. Lynn worked with Dr. R. Copes and the Ministry of Environment to host two public meetings – one in Owen Sound on October 1st and one in Walkerton on October 6th.
Dr. Lynn says the meetings – each attended by about 120 people – were dominated by ‘the self-described victims of wind turbines’.
She says based on the numbers they’ve been able to gather – it’s a minority in Grey Bruce of about 8 per cent who are experiencing health effects they attribute to wind turbine exposure.
Dr. Lynn says it’s unfortunate that there is a silent majority and that those with questions about the technology and those in favour of it were unable or unwilling to speak up at the public meetings.
Dr. Lynn says people need to realize wind turbines are here to stay, with the government choosing them as a green energy alternative.
She does say there are ways to avoid ‘making people sick and outraged’ – for example she says there need to be proper guidelines on setbacks and more local involvement in planning.
But she says those are political decisions.
And she again stresses the Health Unit does not have the resources available to do the kind of health study that many at the meetings asked for.
Dr. Lynn says it’s obvious that this is a very divisive topic – and adds tension in the community is itself another health concern.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit will not be hosting further public meetings on wind turbines.
Dr. Lynn says this is more an environmental and political issue, not necessarily a public health issue.
She adds she has no jurisdiction over a non-urgent environmental problem.