July 11, 2012

July 11, 2012

Premier Dalton McGuinty

Queen’s Park

Toronto ON, M7A 1A1

Dear Premier,

I am writing you today to request that your government impose an immediate moratorium on new wind turbine projects, pending completion of the Health Canada research study that will explore the relationship between wind turbine noise and health effects reported by people living near wind power developments.

As the Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, I am supporting the call of many concerned constituents in my riding who have contacted me, as well as my provincial counterpart MPP Monte McNaughton in requesting this moratorium. Currently eight projects consisting of some 400 turbines are slated for construction in my riding and so I know you will appreciate this is a major concern in our area.

As you know there is currently not a scientific consensus to conclude whether there is a relationship between exposure to wind turbine noise and harm to human health.

I also want to encourage you to take this opportunity between now and the projected completion of the study in 2014 to re-evaluate the efficacy and the cost effectiveness of wind turbines as an alternative source of energy. The Province of Ontario and my riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex in particular need to create jobs and grow our economy. The cost of electricity in Ontario has become a major barrier to consumers, new business investment, competitiveness and business retention. Further you will be aware of many leading experts who have determined that existing projects have resulted in a net loss of jobs and increased energy costs at a time when we can least afford it.

I welcome your comments.

Yours truly,

Bev Shipley, MP