February 4, 2017
Colorado, Letters

The facts about how many eagles are killed by wind turbines

The Denver Post | February 4, 2017 | www.denverpost.com

Re: “Wind turbines and golden eagles; can we have both in the American West?” Jan. 28 guest commentary.

The guest commentary by Noreen Walsh highlighting the conflict between wind farms and both bald and golden eagles pointedly fails to mention the number of such birds killed annually by collisions with the blades. While the Interior Department refuses to release the actual number, most estimates by both industry and environmental groups put the number of those deaths at between 300 and 500 per year.

The article states that the single project referred to “permits” an annual loss of 10-14 such birds per year. If the general public were more aware of the actual death toll nationally, they might question the value of wind power in reducing global warming.

Tom Schmied, Littleton

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/02/04/the-facts-about-how-many-eagles-are-killed-by-wind-turbines/