Maine Medical Assoc. Speaks on Wind Turbines

Maine Medical Association
Resolution RE: Wind Energy and Public Health



WHEREAS, proposals to locate and build wind energy facilities in the State
have at times proven controversial, due to concerns regarding potential
effects of such facilities on the public health, and



WHEREAS, the trade off between the public good of generating electricity and
the adverse health effects warrant appropriate evidence-based scientific
research, and



WHEREAS, assessing the potential health impact of wind turbines has been
difficult to measure but if present would be of significant concern. This is
especially apparent regarding the noise level and other noise
characteristics specific to industrial wind turbines, and





WHEREAS, there is a need for modification of the State's regulatory process
for siting wind energy developments to reduce the potential for controversy
regarding siting of grid-scale wind energy development and to address health
controversy with regulatory changes to include, but not limited to:

a) Refining certain procedures of the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission to reflect
scientific evidence regarding potential health effects, and to further
explore such potential health effects;

b) Judging the effects of wind energy development on potential public health
by avoiding unreasonable noise and shadow flicker effects, with development
setbacks and incorporating upto date noise regulations specific for
industrial wind turbines adequate to protect public health and safety.



Therefore be it resolved that the Maine Medical Association work with health
organizations and regulatory agencies to provide scientific information of
known medical consequences of wind development in order to help safeguard
human health and the environment.



AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Maine Medical Association 1) work with
other stakeholders to encourage performance of studies on health effects of
wind turbine generation by independent qualified researchers at qualified
research institutions; 2) ensure that physicians and patients alike are
informed of evidence-based research results