Numerous Wind Energy Associations sign Joint Statement on Wind Energy and Health

The American, Australian, Canadian, European, Global and United Kingdom wind energy associations last week signed a joint statement on wind energy and health. Read it here…

In response to a proposed national study by Health Canada on wind turbine sound and human health, the American, Australian, Canadian, European, Global and United Kingdom wind energy industry associations point to seventeen reviews of independent research and evidence that all conclude wind is not harmful to human health.

According to the wind energy industry associations, wind energy is regarded as one of the safest forms of electricity generation. At the end of 2011 there was 237,669 MW of installed wind energy capacity around the world. Wind energy is a leading source of new electricity globally and is operating in more than 89 countries.

“As a responsible industry that has been delivering clean electricity for more than 30 years, we collectively continue to engage with experts in science, medicine and occupational and environmental health to monitor ongoing credible research in the area of wind turbines and human health. While Health Canada’s proposed new study may contribute to the significant knowledge base on this topic, the balance of scientific evidence and human experience to date clearly concludes that wind turbines are not harmful to humans,” according to a joint statement signed by the American Wind Energy Association, Australia’s Clean Energy Council, the Canadian Wind Energy Association, the European Wind Energy Association, Global Wind Energy Council and Renewable UK.

Over the past number of years the wind energy industry has worked proactively to ensure citizens have factual answers to their questions. The entire wind industry supports responsible engagement with communities and stakeholders to ensure questions are answered in a timely and appropriate manner, and understands this is fundamental to successful development of the wind energy the world wants.

The 17 reviews of the research literature on wind farms and health can be viewed at http://tobacco.health.usyd.edu.au/assets/pdfs/WindHealthReviews.docx