Wind turbine opponents see inconsistency in Summerside position

SUMMERSIDE - A recent move by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities asking Ottawa to fund more scientific research into the potential health effects of wind turbines has raised the eyebrows of one concerned group in Summerside.
The federation, led by its president, Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart, has asked the federal government to focus on two areas: low frequency noise and electrical disturbances from industrial-scale wind developments.
The request to the federation originated from three Ontario communities last September.
Stewart said his group is asking Ottawa to ensure the heath and safety of wind turbine projects by funding research.
Summerside City Council has approved a four-turbine wind farm in North St. Eleanors but it wasn't without opposition. About 50 people from the area raised several concerns with council over issues such as health, noise and setback requirements for the turbines in relation to residential properties.
In October of 2008 the residents requested and got a delay in the project while the city promised to research their concerns. A month later council voted to move ahead with the project.
In March of 2009, council officially approved their $30-million wind farm, with a change. Residents were caught off-guard when the proposed project called for relocating one of the wind turbines from one piece of property to another.
This raised new concerns for residents who requested council table the issue so they could review the change and assess its impact. Council refused and moved ahead with the plan.
Now with the FCM calling for more research into the safety of wind turbines, residents are questioning why Stewart would support a move on the national scene when he didn't in his own hometown.
"We abided by all the provincial and federal regulations and everything that we had on hand," Stewart said. "The regulations that are on file, they were followed."
Stewart produced a letter and documents from federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq outlining the present requirements and the government's intention to review and update these guidelines in early 2010. Under the current Canada Health guidelines, the city meets both the setback requirements and the noise level requirements (maximum of 45 decibels).