Wind farms vs. neighbors - Solar, Wind and Land: Conflicts in Renewable Energy Development - page 29

natural gas compressor stations, industrial sewage pumping stations, indus-
trial air conditioners, and other land uses. 59 However, Pierpont continues
to stand by her claim that these inaudible sound waves are the root cause
of various symptoms reported by some people living near wind energy
developments.
The publication of Pierpont's book in 2009 and the growing dialogue
about the potential adverse health impacts of wind turbines at that time
posed a significant threat to the wind energy industry, playing directly to the
fears of landowners about possible unknown effects from this relatively new
type of land use. In response to these developments, two large wind energy
industry groups commissioned their own study on the topic. In December of
2009, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Canadian Wind
Energy Association (CanWEA) distributed a report entitled Wind Turbine
Sound and Health Effects: An Expert Panel Review. 60 Not surprisingly, the
lengthy report compiled by a group of seven Ph.D.'s and medical profes-
sionals from around the world reached conclusions that contradicted those
of Pierpont and her followers. Among other things, the report found “no
evidence that the audible or sub-audible sounds emitted by wind turbines
have any direct adverse physiological effects” and that “ground-borne
vibrations from wind turbines are too weak to be detected by, or to affect,
humans.” 61
The AWEA/CanWEA report summarized volumes of peer-reviewed
research that directly contradicted Pierpont's assertions regarding the myriad
alleged health effects of the low-frequency sound waves detected near wind
farms. In all, the report has proven fairly effective at assuaging fears about
alleged Wind Turbine Syndrome. Still, the wind industry's responsive study
is afflicted by an unavoidable appearance of bias because it was not truly
independently produced. Already, numerous additional studies have been
conducted that seek to further resolve questions about the possible health
effects of low-frequency turbine noise. 62 As more independent research on
this issue follows in the coming years, the world will have greater certainty
regarding whether the low-frequency waves emanating from wind turbines
actually pose any harm to those living nearby.
Shadow flicker effects
Even landowners who are too far away from commercial wind turbines
to be bothered by noise can still be irritated by the long, moving shadows
of wind turbine blades. At certain times of day and seasons of the year,
rotating wind turbines can cast revolving shadows for up to two kilometers
that create a strobe-like effect through the windows of homes and other
buildings . 63 These “flicker” effects from commercial turbines seldom persist
at the same location for more than a half hour on any given day and do not
typically pose a serious danger or health threat to humans or animals. Still,
they can unquestionably disturb or annoy those living or working close to