Wind farm NIABYism: Not In Anyone's Back Yard

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Posted 5 months ago

Re: the letter to the editor "Incredulity raised by wind farm concerns", Aug. 14.

The writer believes "our world deserves those who are courageous, forward-thinking and willing to revolutionize the planet for the better." In my opinion, those who promote and construct wind farms have not, to date, embodied these qualities and, instead, have foisted on a naive public an inefficient, expensive, often environment crippling, mode of "clean" energy of questionable use, all things considered.

The placement of wind turbines near homes is an international problem that can in no way be likened to living near a train or an airport.

It is not just what you hear but what you don't hear (low frequency vibration) that causes well-documented health problems. It's insidious that way.

Also insidious is the quiet creation of the Ontario Green Energy Act -- a piece of legislation that removes all rights of local municipalities to take part in critical planning decisions for their own communities.

There is a growing backlash here against this authoritarian measure and against the accompanying reality of huge profits for private companies and a handful of landowners. This move to force a dramatic change in the environment on those truly interested in the environment is frightening.

I have been warned that in resisting the sudden, absolute placement of wind farms in residential areas all over southeastern Ontario, I will be accused of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard). No, it's NIABYism, harder to say, but nearer the truth -- Not In Anyone's Back Yard.

Ann Barlow Grafton