Protesters ask for wind turbine moratorium

Premier Dalton McGuinty is dismissing requests from protesters to delay the introduction of more industrial wind turbines to generate electricity.

About 100 people from dozens of small communities gathered on the front lawn of the provincial legislature on Wednesday, askingthe province to impose a moratorium on new wind turbines. They want it to last until possible impacts on human health have been studied.

They came from as far away as Windsor and Cornwall to demand more studies of the health impact of wind turbines.

Dave Hurlburt lives in Belwood, southwest of Orangeville, Ont.

He says plans for three wind-energy projects are pitting residents against each other.

"Landowners have a right to do what they want on their properties but the neighbours, when theyre affected, they also have a right to be protected," said Hurlburt. "And so we have two different opinions, its dividing the community."

But McGuinty says wind turbines have been used for decades to generate electricity without any serious health implications, so he won't agree to a moratorium.

He says it doesn't make sense under the circumstances.

McGuinty says Ontario has "the most rigorous standards in North America and some of the toughest in the world" for wind turbines.

The Progressive Conservatives say the premier doesn't always know best and should listen to people who don't want the giant turbines in their communities.