Wyoming is a critical habitat area for many species, especially golden eagles. Tens of thousands live here year-round and the state is also a huge migration corridor between Alaska and Mexico. Unlike its cousin the bald eagle, the golden eagle population is stable at best and could potentially decline in parts of the U.S. Bedrosian said wind energy growth is a threat for a species that has always been “at the top of the food chain.” “They've never had to look over their shoulder. So if they're up soaring looking for prey, they're never looking over their shoulder for something else to come get them,” Bedrosian. “When they don't see that turbine blade going at 180 miles an hour, that could potentially hit them.”
This important paper examines the distances at which wildlife life is displaced by operating wind energy facilities. The investigation involved review of post-construction data at projects located in the US, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Norway. The highlights of the report and abstract oft he study are provided below. The full report can be downloaded from the document links on this page.
Quebec's Environment Department says it is introducing a new measure to mitigate the impact of wind farms on bats native to the province. The government will require all future wind farm projects to increase turbine cut-in speeds — when the blades start rotating and generating power — to 5.5 metres per second at night between June 1 and Oct. 15.
The company is citing the uncertainties raised by complaints and the lack of clarity over the permitting process. They had been moving forward, including selecting Siemens Gamesa to supply the turbines before protests derailed the project. The company announced it is taking a write-down of nearly $72 million because the costs for developing the project will have to be recognized in the accounts for 2023.