Wind Turbines: An Exploration of Research Participants’ Living Experiences as a Consequence of Ontario’s Green Energy Act

In 2009, the province of Ontario, Canada enacted the Green Energy Act. Those appealing an approval of a Wind Power Plant (WPP) were challenged by a high burden of proof—proof of causality. The requirement was that, before the project was constructed and operating, it must be shown that it “will cause” serious harm to human health, or “serious and irreversible harm” to plant or animal life, or the natural environment. Methods: This ethicsreviewed study used the Grounded Theory methodology. It conducted face-to-face interviews with those who had previously lived or were currently living within 10 km from a WPP. Audio files were transcribed to text, and the data were coded and analysed using NVivo Pro (v.12.6) software. Objectives: To explore and generate a substantive theory of the events that motivate research participants living within 10 km from a WPP to contemplate their housing decisions. Results: Data analysis revealed that the Green Energy Act contributed towards participants considering their housing decisions. They became informed and took action by participating in government processes that included observing Environmental Review Tribunals, other judicial proceedings and filing complaints/Incident Reports. Discussion: Through the candid and insightful observations by research participants, those with an interest in health policy, authorities, policy makers, researchers, practitioners, social scientists, and members of the public, will gain an awareness of the effects the Green Energy Act had on research participants.