The original purpose of this site was to document the projected wind farm project on Amherst Island, Ontario. I can still remember how I originally thought, like most people, that wind energy was an unmitigated good thing. But as I researched the potential benefits and costs of wind turbines, I increasingly became aware that way too much of the "evidence" presented by the wind industry was disingenious, written by someone whose interest was not in conveying information honestly. This is a strong charge, one that I don't make idly - I've analyzed some examples on my Pseudo-Science Examples Page. In addition, I discovered that the costs - human, environmental and financial - are very high. My purpose has now become a more general objection to wind energy as detailed in the gory details section below.

The wind industry provides a list of reasons why people like me are against something so obviously beneficial. I and people like me have been labeled NIMBYs, Luddites, unscientific, oil-industry-loving, climate-change-denying, jealous, among other things. All of which are, at least in my case, incorrect. I'm simply someone who has taken an honest look at the evidence and found it wanting. And after the name-calling settles down, I stand by my research and would welcome any discussion about any part of it. After all, the easiest way to show that I'm wrong is to, well, show me wrong.

I've tried not to assume any prior knowledge on the part of the reader while providing enough detail to make a solid case for my opinions. As I discover new items of interest I continually update the affected pages - several times a week - so what is written here reflects my latest understanding of the issues. I keep a Change Log Page of the changes where you can get an idea of how my research is progressing. You can also subscribe below to my RSS feed which I update for more important changes.

I have not worked in the power industry and I have no special academic credentials either. What I do have is a lot of time and curiosity, along with a scientific bent and a fair amount of skepticism. While I certainly have my opinions I would urge all my readers to do their own research. I have tried to provide enough references so that anyone could dig as deeply as they wished into the material. So thanks for looking, and have at it!

One of my more depressing observations is that the wind energy movement has acquired almost a religious following, where faith is more important than real-world facts. But while our souls' origin and destiny may not be knowable, surely the effects of wind turbines on our power grid and environment are. I have been quite surprised that the definitive effects of wind turbines seemingly remain unknown - that the serious (dare I say, scientific) studies that would be needed to settle these issues have simply not been done (or at least, not published). I've been looking on an almost daily basis for several years, I've asked the local universities, I've been in contact with interested people all around North America, and I cannot find any of the following:

• A study that shows carbon dioxide savings tied to wind energy, based on real measurements on a real grid. You'd think that at least in Germany or Denmark, and maybe Texas or Spain, such figures would be available, but they aren't. And the more you look into the details, the more you doubt there's any savings at all. More details.
• A study that shows wind turbine noise levels actually conform to the models that are used to place them. There are several studies that show they don't, and the complaints from neighbors are growing. More details.
• An epidemiological (aka a serious, scientific) study of any potential health effects from wind turbines. More details.
• A study that shows how wildlife adjusts (or doesn't) to wind turbines. As more (admittedly anecdotal) reports come in, the effects continue to look worse and worse. More details.

The following letters serve as good summaries of the position I've come to.

• This open letter was written to a developer in Virginia.
• This excellent letter appeared in the Wellington Times in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
• A European consortium, EPAW, has written this letter.
• William Palmer, mild-mannered Ontario engineer, has written this letter.
• I've written this letter to President Obama.