Neighbors ask health board to shut down Wis. turbines

Source: By Adam Rodewald, Green Bay Press-Gazette • Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

In an attempt to shut down a Wisconsin-based wind farm, opponents of the Shirley Wind farm blasted the county’s health director yesterday during a meeting for saying turbines could not be linked to neighbors’ health issues.

In 2014, the health board said turbines emit a low-frequency noise that pose health risks, an announcement believed to be the first of its kind for the board. But after months of deliberation, Health Officer Chua Xiong said in December 2015 there was a lack of scientific evidence to back the statement (Greenwire, Dec. 17, 2015).

County Supervisor Patrick Evans, said Xiong’s decision to change its original stance on the matter was “almost criminal.”

“I feel if she acknowledged the problem and doesn’t address it, she’s derelict in her duties,” Evans said. “It’s almost borderline misconduct of office. It’s almost criminal.”

County Supervisor Richard Schadewald, who is also on the board of health, said it will continue to study health impacts related to the wind farm but that ordering it to shut down would most likely result in a lawsuit.