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Ottawa, Ontario, March 7th   The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) strongly opposes the Private Member's Motion introduced today by Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce) which calls for a moratorium on wind energy development until a third party health and environmental study has been completed. Such an action would put thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in clean energy investments at risk, according to CanWEA. A recent Oracle Research poll found that 78 per cent of Ontarians believe that wind energy is one of the safest forms of electricity generation.

While it is important to review new and credible information related to wind turbines and human health, the balance of scientific and medical research to date – including a report by the province's own Chief Medical Officer of Health – has found that sound produced by wind turbines does not adversely impact human health. In March 2011, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice also ruled in favour of the provincial renewable energy framework, citing that standards were developed following significant public consultation and review of science-based evidence. The current 550m setback for wind turbines is among the most stringent in place in North America.

"As a responsible industry, we continue to work with Canadian and international experts in health and science to review all new and credible information pertaining to wind energy and human health," says Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. "Wind energy is broadly understood to be one of the safest and most environmentally friendly forms of electricity generation. The wind energy industry wants to work productively with all levels of government and stakeholders to ensure jobs, investments and affordable clean energy continue flowing. A moratorium would prevent thousands of farmers and landowners and dozens of municipalities from participating in Ontario's clean energy economy, ultimately hurting rural Ontario at a time of economic challenge."

According to Dr. Robert Oliphant, President and CEO of the Asthma Society of Canada, "it is time to embrace renewable energy in all of its forms, including solar and wind powered energy. Ontarians with asthma and other chronic lung disease are already benefiting from the closure of coal plants and looking forward to the decommissioning of the last one as soon as possible. If for no other reason, we should support renewable energy generation because it does not harm the air we breathe. In all forms, renewable energy is a safe and healthy alternative to fossil fuels."

Please find below a link to a number of reviews of the scientific and medical literature on wind turbines and human health: http://www.canwea.ca/wind-energy/talkingaboutwind_e.php

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)
CanWEA is the voice of Canada's wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 420 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country's electricity from wind by 2025. The document Wind Vision 2025 - Powering Canada's Future is available at www.canwea.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Ulrike Kucera, Media Relations Officer
Office: (613) 234-8716 ext: 228
Mobile: (613) 867-4433