Senate to investigate effectiveness of wind turbines

Are wind turbines really worth it?

This will be the focus of a new Senate inquiry announced today by Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm into the regulatory governance and economic impact of wind turbines.

With the support of Senators Bob Day (Family First), Chris Back (Liberal Party) and Independent Senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan, this will be the first inquiry in Australia to look at issues such as their impact on household electricity prices, the role of the Clean Energy Regulator, effect on fauna, planning processes, and whole-of-life inputs and outputs.Senator Leyonhjelm said this inquiry is not just of importance to people living in communities with wind turbines.

“We all deserve to know what impact wind energy is having on the bottom line of our electricity bills so that we can assess whether we are getting value for our money from the subsidies paid to the wind industry.”

“The committee will also examine whether wind farms in general are complying with existing planning regulations following several significant breaches in three states,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.

The new Committee is expected to convene next year.