Debating windfarms

RESIDENTS opposing the construction of large-scale wind farms in Clare have been invited to attend the first meeting to establish a new national wind energy group.

A new campaign entitled CREWE Campaign for Responsible Engagement with Wind Energy, will be launched at the meeting in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown, Roscommon on Saturday, June 16 at 2pm.
One of the organisers of the meeting, Mike de Jong from the Sliabh Ban Community Group, said the meeting was initiated because of a growing unease about the lack of informed debate about the massive expansion of windfarms across Ireland.
At least 14 community groups from all over Ireland will be attending the meeting, as well as a large numbers of concerned individuals.
Mr de Jong said that for some time now, local communities have been very concerned about proposed and completed wind energy developments. The main concerns include the current wind energy guidelines, which allow wind turbines taller than the Dublin Spire to be built only 500m from family homes.
In a recent edition of The British Medical Journal, it states there are possible health implications associated with the noise of wind turbines for local residents.
Other concerns include the impact on tourist landscapes and the lack of proper economic costing regarding wind energy. Prominent economist Colm McCarthy has predicted a potential NAMA for windfarms and many people fear wind turbines will go the same route as the empty housing estates, which litter rural Ireland.
The meeting will be opened by Senator John Kelly from County Roscommon, who has introduced the Wind Turbine Bill 2012 to the Irish Parliament. The bill has been introduced to define minimum distances of turbines from family homes according to the height of wind turbines. If this legislation is passed, it would mean of large wind turbines will have to be 1.5km from family homes.
Other speakers include Val Martin, Irish representative of the European Platform Against Wind Farms (www.epaw.org). Val has researched extensively the engineering and economic value of wind energy. His presentation will be followed by a talk by Peter Crossan, who is a spokesperson for a group, which assists communities impacted by wind farm development. Peter has a strong interest in planning and environmental matters associated with windfarms.
Professor Alun Evans from Queen’s University Belfast will be the final speaker. Professor Evans co-wrote the March 2012 editorial of the peer reviewed British Medical Journal, which describes research concerning the health concerns of living near wind turbines and concludes that the evidence points towards adverse health impacts.
A temporary website is being put together and an email address, creweirl@gmail.com, has been created.