Wind-turbine syndrome doesn’t exist. Sure, wind turbines can be annoying. But there isn’t a shred of peer-reviewed medical evidence that they can actually make anybody sick.
Yet a new Wisconsin bill scheduled for a hearing next week would make it easier for people living within 1.5 miles of a wind turbine to sue the energy developer for “physical and emotional harm suffered by the plaintiff, including for medical expenses, pain, and suffering.” And to sue for relocation expenses if they want to move away from turbines. And to sue over drops in property values. Never mind that researchers have also ruled out any impacts of wind farms on the value of nearby properties.
SB 167 wouldn’t just affect new turbines. It could be applied retroactively to sue existing wind farms out of existence.
Needless to say, the bill is just another effort to stamp out the growth of renewable energy in coal-friendly Wisconsin, which is already lagging behind much of the rest of the country in wind power.
The legislation is sponsored by State Sen. Frank Lasee (R), a notorious opponent of wind energy. A hearing into the bill on Wednesday will be overseen by a fellow wind foe, State Sen. Glenn Grothman (R), whose district includes a large wind farm.
“I’ve talked to a dozen people in my area who made a very credible case that their health has been damaged,” Grothman told Midwest Energy News. “Obviously their property values have gone through the floor.”
Well, obviously. I mean, if y’all say so. Let’s resume the outdated approach of building more coal plants and see how that affects property values and public health, shall we?
