Open Access Library Journal

Volume 7, Issue 6 (June 2020)

ISSN Print: 2333-9705   ISSN Online: 2333-9721

Google-based Impact Factor: 0.73  Citations  

Wind Turbines: Why Some Families Living in Proximity to Wind Energy Facilities Contemplate Vacating Their Homes: An Overview of Findings

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DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1106443    601 Downloads   2,464 Views  Citations

ABSTRACT

Background: Some families living near wind energy facilities report permanently vacating their homes while others contemplate doing so. While these events are reported on the Internet and social media, research is lacking. This study explored why some people living in proximity to wind turbines contemplate such housing decisions. Methods: This ethics-reviewed study used the Grounded Theory methodology and audio recorded interviews with those who had previously lived, or were currently living near wind turbines. Audio files were transcribed to text, and the data analysed using NVivo12 Pro software. Objectives: To explore the events that influenced families living within 10 km from wind energy facilities to contemplate vacating their homes. To generate a substantive theory regarding these housing decisions. Results: All 67 participants associated occurrences of adverse health effects, or the potential for such effects when living within 10 km of a wind energy facility. Some temporarily left during the day and/or night to alleviate effects. Discussion: This article presents an overview of results with additional details pending in future peer-reviewed articles. Using a systematic methodology, data analysis lends support for the theory that housing decisions were motivated by the proximity of wind energy facilities within 10 km of homes and the interviewees’ observations of the occurrence or potential risk of adverse health effects. Members of the public, researchers, health care practitioners, engineers and acousticians, social scientists, and policy makers with an interest in health and social policy are presented with the potential outcomes of placing wind turbines near family homes.

Share and Cite:

Krogh, C. , McMurtry, R. , Johnson, W. , Dumbrille, A. , Alves-Pereira, M. , Punch, J. , Hughes, D. , Rogers, L. , Rand, R. , James, R. , Ambrose, S. and Gillis, L. (2020) Wind Turbines: Why Some Families Living in Proximity to Wind Energy Facilities Contemplate Vacating Their Homes: An Overview of Findings. Open Access Library Journal, 7, 1-17. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1106443.

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