Wind Power News: Wildlife
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Hérault: Des parcs éoliens accusés de destruction de rapaces
[Wind energy facilities accused of destroying raptors – A royal eagle was killed in early August after a collision with a wind turbine blade in Joncels, Herault. The bird, equipped with a GPS, was of a species protected since 1976, as are all raptors in France.] Un aigle royal a trouvé la mort début août après une collision avec une pale d’éolienne à Joncels, dans l’Hérault. L’oiseau, équipé d’un GPS, fait partie d’une espèce protégée depuis 1976, comme le sont toutes . . .
Agency: Turbines could spin during migrations
A federal agency charged with protecting rare birds has again recommended that offshore wind turbines be allowed to remain spinning during migration periods, after an appeals court ordered a review for the stalled Cape Wind project. A “feathering” measure – basically, stopping the turbines – to protect piping plovers and roseate terns during their migration will not be included in the project’s incidental take statement, Paul Phifer, assistant regional director for ecological services for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wrote in . . .
The bustard and the windmill
On the afternoon of July 17, a large buff-and-white ostrich-like bird crashed into a 33 KV transmission line connected to wind turbines in Naliya, on the edge of the Lala Bustard Sanctuary in Kutch, Gujarat. This was no ordinary birdkill. The young female bird’s death was nothing short of an ecological catastrophe: it meant one less individual of a critically endangered species – the Great Indian Bustard – of which an estimated 150 remain worldwide today. This particular bird was satellite-tagged. Information . . .
Environmental impact assessment not needed for wind projects: panel
New Delhi: The government’s expert forest panel has given its approval to a 40 megawatt (MW) wind power project in Andhra Pradesh—on the basis of a single contested study on migratory birds—saying an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is unnecessary for wind power projects which produce renewable energy. Its recommendation comes despite the wildlife division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) advocating the need for an EIA. This is not the first time that environment ministry’s forest . . .
Former DEC biologist challenges wind developer’s bat studies
Two studies Apex Clean Energy is planning to provide to help assess how its Galloo Island Wind project could affect bats are inadequate for determining the potential impacts, argues avian advocate Clifford P. Schneider. Mr. Schneider, a former biologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said Wednesday in a letter to the state Public Service Commission that the 2008 bat study that the developer plans to include in its project application for the state Article 10 law review process . . .
Wind farm plan rejected over environmental concerns
Residents in East Galway have won their battle to prevent a wind farm in their area after the development was turned down – on environmental grounds and in particular the potential impact it would have on local rivers as well as wildlife in the area. It was claimed that the five-turbine wind farm would be taller than The Spire in O’Connell Street and would have an adverse impact on the Brown Long-eared Bats which roost in the area during the . . .
Environmental Review Tribunal rules against Clearview wind project
The Environmental Review Tribunal has ruled to revoke the approval for a 500-foot-tall wind turbines in an area near the Collingwood Regional Airport. “This is a massive win,” said John Wiggins, who filed the original appeal against the Ministry of Environment’s decision to grant WPD Canada a renewable energy approval for the eight-turbine Fairview Wind project in March, 2016. In a decision released Aug. 16, Dirk Vanderbent and Hugh Wilkins, who oversaw the appeal and subsequent remedy hearing for Fairview . . .
Clearview Wind turbines licence revoked
In a statement, Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper expressed her relief with the decision. “We are extremely happy with the decision issued today,” said Cooper. “The town has long expressed concern with the proposed turbines, particularly over the safety of aircraft utilizing our regional airport, and we’re pleased to see that the Environmental Review Tribunal has agreed that this is a serious harm to human health.”
Group pushes for revision of wind farm’s plan to protect endangered bats
A North Shore preservation group initiated state hearings this week to force the developer of a 25-megawatt wind facility to improve its habitat conservation plan for the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat. Attorneys representing Keep The North Shore Country at the hearings on Monday and Tuesday said Na Pua Makani Power Partners LLC needs to improve its habitat conservation plan for the bat, arguing the developer did not study impacts from taller turbines, or offer adequate mitigation measures for the number . . .
Conservation department serves notice to wind farm
A wind farm company proposing a project in Northwest Missouri has raised the concern of the Missouri Department of Conservation over potential bird and bat deaths. NextEra Energy, based in Florida, is planning to build 97 wind turbines on the border of Clinton and DeKalb counties as part of the Osborn Wind Farm. Of the 97 turbines planned, there are 21 expected to be placed within a one-mile radius of the Pony Express Lake and along the boundary of the . . .
