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Wind farms do comply with ‘do-no-harm’
Peter L. Kelley is vice president of public affairs for the American Wind Energy Association
Credit: By PETER L. KELLEY - Washington, D.C.| Connersville News Examiner | July 12, 2017 | www.newsexaminer.com ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
Wind farms comply very well with the “do-no-harm” principle that John Pickerill discussed in his July 7 commentary. In fact, not only do they do no harm, wind turbines have the potential to lift up entire communities.
Health experts from around the world have studied wind farms extensively, and the results are clear: Wind farms are perfectly safe.
Hundreds of thousands of people live near wind farms around the world without experiencing health issues. Over 20 peer-reviewed studies have found no evidence of harm from proximity to wind turbines. Credible research from MIT, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Wisconsin Department of Public Health, and Canada’s equivalent of the Department of Health and Human Services bears this out.
Not only are wind farms safe, they also cut pollutants that cause smog and trigger asthma attacks. This creates enormous and growing public health benefits – a Harvard study found that wind turbines already save $7.4 billion a year in health care costs by helping keep our air clean.
Wind projects also bring enormous economic benefits. Last year U.S. farmers and ranchers received $245 million in lease payments for hosting turbines – $5 million a year in Indiana alone.
Entire communities benefit from wind, not just landowners. Wind farms often become a county’s largest taxpayer, helping keep taxes low, pay teachers and fix roads. The turbines create local jobs with benefits, and bring in new business during their construction.
More jobs, money for local services, and clean air – that’s a good neighbor indeed.
Peter L. Kelley is vice president of public affairs for the American Wind Energy Association
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