Richard Poirier<\/p>\n
Professor Grace<\/p>\n
EK 132<\/p>\n
November 28 2012<\/p>\n
Wind Turbines: Not the Worst Thing Ever, Actually Pretty Cool<\/p>\n
People complain about everything, literally. Wind turbines, and specifically the noise they generate, are no exception to the rule. Some people have legitimate qualms with the fast growing, renewable energy source that is wind, but for the majority of the population the positives of wind energy far outweigh the negatives.<\/p>\n
Massachusetts could be the state to lead the way on offshore wind turbine installations, but of course public opinion is split between being for and against. \u201cThe first U.S. developer proposes to build 130 large (40 story tall) wind turbines in Nantucket Sound, just outside Massachusetts state waters. These would provide 420 MW at market prices, enough electricity for most of Cape Cod. The project is opposed by a vigorous and well-financed coalition. Polling shows local public opinion on the project almost equally divided\u201d <\/em>(Kempton). Our state could be leading the way on this front, powering most of Cape Cod without burning fossil fuels, but still a loud opposition seems to be holding the project back. Wind energy is the most obvious future energy source we have, and it\u2019s only a matter of time before public opinion shifts strongly in favor of offshore turbines.<\/p>\n The major complaint with wind turbines is the noise generated, and the health implications resulting from that. There is no concrete evidence that wind turbines specifically cause any problems, but many reports of medical problems including \u201csleep disturbance, Headache, including migraines, tinnitus, ear pressure (often described as painful), balance problems, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, irritability, problems with concentration and memory, panic episodes, and tachycardia (fast heart rate)\u201d<\/em> (Laurie). Unfortunately in our country, people will feign diseases to profit economically, and I think that was the intention of numerous medical problems reported. You simply can\u2019t take people at their word. What you can trust at face value is documented proof, provided by Caithness Windfarm Information Forum. Since 1975 they have documented almost 1300 accidents due to wind turbines. The majority did not involve human injury at all, and very few were fatal accidents. Wind energy is relatively safe, especially when you consider the pollution caused by fossil fuels and their impact on our atmosphere and the air we breathe. Compared to the energy sources we use the most, wind energy causes many less fatalities and medical conditions, all the more reason for it to be promoted and implemented more across the country.<\/p>\n Wind energy is a controversial topic, and as it becomes a more widely used and talked about resource the controversy will only continue. Just look at the last presidential election to see how divided our country is. People will always complain about change, but change is inevitable. The transition to renewable energy sources will be led by wind energy, and though it might take a while and face much opposition, we will use wind energy more and more in the future. For the people who complain about the noise from wind turbines and are not willing to move, the solution is simple: prove that the wind turbines caused the problem or deal with it. This is America. Deal with it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sources<\/p>\n By: Kempton, Willett; Firestone, Jeremy; Lilley, Jonathan; Rouleau, Tracy; Whitaker, Phillip. Coastal Management. Apr-Jun2005, Vol. 33 Issue 2, p119-149. 31p. DOI: 10.1080\/08920750590917530. http:\/\/web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu\/ehost\/pdfviewer\/pdfviewer?sid=a2ae9c4c-39ec-43e6-86a6-18357f19a802%40sessionmgr115&vid=2&hid=127<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Matheson, George; Giroux, Laurie. OECD Environment Working Papers. 2\/10\/2011, Issue 25-26, p25-28. 4p. http:\/\/web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu\/ehost\/pdfviewer\/pdfviewer?sid=0cffa28f-81ef-42bd-bc29-8467b390347f%40sessionmgr110&vid=2&hid=127<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Gohlke, Julia M.; Hrynkow, Sharon H.; Portier, Christopher J. Environmental Health<\/strong> Perspectives. Jun2008, Vol. 116 Issue 6, pA236-A237. 2p. 1 Diagram, 1 Chart. http:\/\/web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu\/ehost\/pdfviewer\/pdfviewer?sid=c8e1ffbc-2957-4f3d-b57b-9dd8bd3e0cbb%40sessionmgr113&vid=2&hid=127<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Heintzelman, Martin D.; Tuttle, Carrie M. Land Economics. Aug2012, Vol. 88 Issue 3, p571-588. 18p. http:\/\/web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu\/ehost\/pdfviewer\/pdfviewer?sid=91bebe4d-3377-4a7f-90c6-25de7ad1e8ff%40sessionmgr115&vid=2&hid=127<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Laurie, Sarah. http:\/\/docs.wind-watch.org\/Laurie-List-of-symptoms.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.noiseandhealth.org\/article.asp?issn=1463-1741;year=2012;volume=14;issue=60;spage=237;epage=243;aulast=Nissenbaum<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.caithnesswindfarms.co.uk\/fullaccidents.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n