Wind Power for Health

Have you been wondering how you can easily make a big impact? The answer is here. Support wind power and you make a positive impact on:

Environment

Climate Change

Health

Economy

Energy Independence

Most of the electricity generated in New England is from oil, coal, natural gas, and trash. All of these sources emit various types of health-damaging pollutants, especially smog-forming nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and mercury.

A study conducting by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that the two of the dirtiest coal fired power plants in Massachusetts caused serious health impacts. Results included:1

• 53 premature deaths per year from Salem Harbor and 106 premature deaths per year from Brayton Point
• 570 emergency room visits per year from Salem Harbor and 1,140 emergency room visits per year from Brayton Point
• 14,400 asthma attacks per year from Salem Harbor and 28,900 asthma attacks per year from Brayton Point

Beyond avoiding additional dirty facilities from being built, when wind power is generated it must be put directly into the grid. It often “backs off” or turns down existing fossil fuel power plants, thereby reducing health risks.

1 Levy, Jonathan. Et al. Estimated Public Health Impacts of Criteria Pollutant Air Emissions from the Salem Harbor and Brayton Point Power Plants. May 2000. Available online.