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ARTICLE · 20 JUNE 2011

EMF Pollution From Transmission Lines?

Siskinds LLP
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One longstanding complaint about high-voltage electric transmission lines is the fear that such lines generate an electromagnetic force which adversely affects people or the environment. Opponents of such lines typically argue that they have not been proved to be safe and therefore, under the precautionary principle, should not be approved.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
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One longstanding complaint about high-voltage electric transmission lines is the fear that such lines generate an electromagnetic force which adversely affects people or the environment. Opponents of such lines typically argue that they have not been proved to be safe and therefore, under the precautionary principle, should not be approved.

I have had cases where malfunctioning distribution lines next to homes have, indeed, caused excess levels of EMF. But high voltage lines, used for long-distance transmission, are built with significant buffer distances. This issue was most recently addressed in the decision of the Niagara Escarpment Hearing Office on the twinning of the Bruce to Milton transmission line, Barlow v. NEC, who decided there was no ground for concern:

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