In the News: [The Australian] Canadian research boosts Cooper’s case on turbines
NEWS RELEASE University of Waterloo Cheriton School of Computer Science, Monday, March 9, 2015
Richard Mann, an Associate Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, recently had work featured in The Australian, an Australian newspaper which is recognized as the country’s leading national news brand.
Mann has positioned himself as a research expert thanks to his work on Measuring Wind Turbine Coherent Infrasound. The Australian recently interviewed Mann in regards to a controversial court case between acoustics expert Steven Cooper and Pacific Hydro, a renewable energy company headquartered in Melbourne, AU.
Read the news item online [pdf]: Canadian research boosts Cooper’s case on turbines
Mann has positioned himself as a research expert thanks to his work on Measuring Wind Turbine Coherent Infrasound. The Australian recently interviewed Mann in regards to a controversial court case between acoustics expert Steven Cooper and Pacific Hydro, a renewable energy company headquartered in Melbourne, AU.
Read the news item online [pdf]: Canadian research boosts Cooper’s case on turbines
5 Comments
Barbara
Well done Richard!!! And thanks for all the work you have done.
Sommer
What is the best way to approach the Wynne government with this information and bring about a moratorium as quickly as possible.
Having this information and allowing projects that have been constructed to be turned on is absolutely unacceptable.
This information needs to go viral.
Sommer
This is the letter I received just now, after sending another appeal on behalf of residents of rural Ontario who face the continued reality and threat of industrial wind turbines that have been placed too close to their homes/barns. I included a link to an interview with Steven Cooper about his methods and his findings and the clear correlation to ‘sensations’ experienced by victims.
SENT ON BEHALF OF STEVE KLOSE, DIRECTOR
March 13, 2015
ENV1283MC-2015-545
Thank you for your e-mail dated March 3, 2015 about low frequency sound and infrasound from wind turbines in Ontario. Your letter was forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change from the Ministry of Energy and I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Ministry.
The Renewable Energy Approval Regulation sets out the requirements for renewable energy projects to ensure they are developed in a way that is protective of human health and the environment. The ministry has taken a science-based approach when establishing setbacks for wind projects and noise limits to protect Ontarians. The setbacks for wind turbines are based on a 40 decibel criterion and are consistent with World Health Organization community noise level recommendations.
In 2011, the ministry retained a consulting firm with expertise in noise, vibration and acoustics, to analyze findings on low frequency sound and infrasound from wind turbines. The consultant reviewed current science and best practices from other jurisdictions, and provided specific recommendations for low frequency noise and infrasound. The consultant’s report “Low Frequency Noise and Infrasound Associated with Wind Turbine Generator Systems: A Literature Review” found there is no direct health risk from wind turbine sound, including low frequency and infrasound, at the province’s regulated minimum setback distance of 550 metres. The report did acknowledge that audible sound from wind turbines, at the levels experienced at typical receptor distances in Ontario is nonetheless expected to result in a non-trivial percentage of persons being highly annoyed. The report also found that the province’s rules to control wind turbine sound are rigorous, and that Ontario should continue to monitor this evolving science’s technical developments, and any emerging regulatory policies introduced in other countries. The complete report can be found at the following location http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/low-frequency-noise-and-infrasound-associated-wind-turbine-generator-systems.
The ministry is aware that Health Canada has released preliminary findings from its health study exploring the relationship between wind turbine noise and human health and looks forward to seeing the full, peer-reviewed report once it is published.
The ministry continues to review emerging scientific and jurisdictional studies pertaining to low frequency sound and infrasound to ensure Ontario’s rules for wind turbines continue to reflect the best available science.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns about low frequency sound and infrasound from wind turbines
Yours sincerely,
Steve Klose
Director
Richard Mann
Thanks for posting.
Have not seen this document until now.
Sommer
Richard, after a long telephone conversation with a receptionist for Chiarelli’s office regarding all of the emails I’ve sent that have not been answered, I was given this email address for a more direct route to wind related comments/questions.
write2us@ontario.ca