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Co. Westmeath
16 February 2014
Submission regarding the Revised Wind Energy Guidelines.
There are proposals by an Energy Development company to construct a number of Industrial Windfarms around this rural land.
In accordance with Article 174 of the treaty establishing the European Community, it is provided that Community Policy on the
environment is to contribute, inter alia, to the preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the protection
of human health and the prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources and that it is based on the Precautionary Principle.
The following is my submission regarding the Revised Wind Energy Guidelines
1) WELLNESS and HEALTH.
a) The impact of a massive cluster of large scale wind turbines has not been adequately considered. A lot of scientific studies are
stressing the matter. For example: An article in the British Medical Journal dated 8 March 2012 states:"The impact of road, rail, and aircraft noise on sleep and daytime functioning (sleepiness and cognitive function) is well established. 1.
Shortly after wind turbines began to be erected close to housing, complaints emerged of adverse effects on health. Sleep disturbance
was the main complaint. 2 Such reports have been dismissed as being subjective and anecdotal, but experts contend that the quantity,
consistency, and ubiquity of the complaints constitute epidemiological evidence of a strong link between wind turbine noise, ill health,
and disruption of sleep." Ref: (http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1527):
b) The dispersion in the air of oil lubricants and toxic neodymium (contained in the magnets of wind turbines) must be controlled.
c) The impact of shadows and flickers can cause psychological damages to the surrounding population as well as the noise.
2) BIODIVERSITY.
A lot of news reporting the impact to the fauna is in evidence: For example, an article in the LA Times dated 8 November 2013 states:
“Over 600,000 bats were killed by wind energy turbines across the United States last year, with the highest concentration of kills in the
Appalachian Mountains, according to new research.
In a paper published Friday in the journal BioScience, University of Colorado biologist Mark Hayes used records of dead bats found
beneath wind generators, and statistical analysis, to estimate how many bats were struck and killed by generator propellers each year.
"Dead bats are being found underneath wind turbines across North America," Hayes wrote. "This estimate of bat fatalities is probably
conservative."
Ref: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-600000-bats-killed-at-wind-energy-facilities-
in-2012-study-says-20131108,0,1587861.story#ixzz2lDi93JxE
3) LANDSCAPE and TOURISM.
It is absolutely evident that towers, higher than 100 meters or more, considering the fan, will be noticeable from miles and miles around,
considering the absence of mountains and hills in this part of the Midlands. It is absolutely evident that the landscape of the Midlands
will be disturbed. Future generations will observe a landscape very different to the one that we currently observe. Growing tourism will
probably be destroyed and our pubs, hotels and restaurants will suffer a loss of income and jobs.
4) UNDERGROUND WATERS.
The Griffinstown area alone is full of natural springs and water courses.The effects on underground water quality cannot be sufficiently
evaluated, considering the deep and massive use of thousands of tonnes of concrete used for the huge foundations and new roads
around the towers.
5) LOCAL PERSPECTIVE, EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND BIO_DIVERSITY.
The area of Kinnegad , Coralstown and Griffinstown is deeply disturbed by the noise of the traffic of two motorways , the M4
and the M6 . Furthermore the landscape and the environment are impacted by the presence of a large factory nearby in the form of
Lagan Cement.
It is evident that intoducing a massive cluster of wind turbines, not to mention accompanying pylons in this area will cause ulterior
damage to the wellness of the sourrounding population and wildlife. In this area alone we can observe the presence of some protected
species as bats, pine martens , barn owls, and swans.
6. HERITAGE
With regard to heritage and architecture, the area of Heathstown/ Coralstown is important due to the presence of the Royal Canal and
the surrounding areas of Rattin, Clonfad, Kinnegad, Killucan. There are many buildings and structures of structural, historical and/or
social importance. Griffinstown House in my immediate townland is just one of the many structures listed on the National Inventory of
Architectural Heritage (http://www.buildingsofireland.ie) .
6) ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES & LEGAL ACTION
It is vital that alternative energies to Wind should be explored. This country is putting far too much emphasis on Wind energy to the
virtual exclusion of all other forms of clean energy. Solar and Wave energy are too technologies alone that need to be explored.
The majority of the local community are strongly opposed to the construction of these turbines. We will continue to resist turbines that
cut across local communities and threaten our health and the surrounding flora and fauna. Please be aware that all forms of legal
opposition will be explored against the owners of the land permitting these turbines and the wind companies.
Yours Sincerely,
Edoardo and Maria Cristina Guzzeloni