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.
Wind farm submits study on endangered species impacts
Hawaii’s largest windfarm has submitted a supplemental environmental impact statementaddressing its recognition that the project will kill more endangered speciesthan originally anticipated. And the public has until June 24 to comment. The Kawailoa Wind Project on Oahu’s North Shore had previously expected it would have an impact on endangered Hawaiian hoary bats that live in the area and had discussed the impacts in an initial environmental impact statement. But now the 69-megawatt wind farm located near Haleiwa expects it may . . . Complete story »
California discusses protecting migratory birds after rollback of federal protections
Melissa Cortez-Roth with the California Wind Energy Association recently spoke out against the bill. “Our industry has not historically been prosecuted under the act, we believe that changes under this bill,” she said. “We are already subject to a number of best practice guidelines.” Complete story »
Save the Great Indian Bustard from wind power projects
In a bid to save the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), currently on the brink of extinction, Indian government’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has asked wind power developers to identify the bird’s critical habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat and take risk mitigation measures against bird hits, one of the causes of the reducing population of the bird. Listed as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, the GIB also has the highest . . . Complete story »
Retrofitting of power lines, wind projects mandatory in Gujarat and Rajasthan to prevent bird collision
NEW DELHI: Concerned over dwindling numbers of Great Indian Bustard (GIBs), the Central government has asked for retrofitting of power transmission lines and wind energy farms passing through the habitat of this critically endangered species in Gujarat and Rajasthan to prevent bird collision. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has written to all power transmission agencies and wind energy farm developers to identify critical power transmission lines and wind energy firms passing through the Great Indian Bustard habitats in . . . Complete story »
North Sea wind projects could have ‘impact’ on marine mammals, report finds
The construction phase of North Sea offshore wind projects could have an “impact” on local marine mammals, an assessment of the project has claimed. The assessment outlines Marine Scotland’s considerations for north-east developments It claims all three projects could “disturb” bottlenose dolphins, harbour seals and grey seals. Inch Cape Offshore Windfarm, Seagreen Alpha and Bravo developments and the Neart Na Goeithe (NnG) project are all included in the assessment. The Inch Cape offshore wind development is 100% owned by Red . . . Complete story »
Bats hit hardest by Yaloak South wind farm turbines
At least 15 bats have died at Yaloak South wind farm in Moorabool Shire since it began operating last year. They account for more than 60 per cent of deaths recorded at the site, which is run by the renewable energy company Pacific Hydro. There have been 24 bird and bat mortalities confirmed by inspections carried out since the wind farm became operational, The Courier has learned. The bat species affected are most likely to be the Gould’s wattled bat . . . Complete story »
Bats facing killoffs from wind turbines, disease
Wind turbines are thought of as environment-friendly sources of energy, but for bats, they are a death trap. Amanda Adams, instructor of biology at Fort Hays State University, talked to a capacity crowd Monday night about the plight of the bats during a FHSU Science Cafe presentation titled “Bats: The Rock Stars of the Night.” Adams said bats are being killed by the millions by wind turbines. Curious creatures, the bats are drawn to the turbines, where they are either . . . Complete story »
Nebraska Sandhills and whooping cranes find mutual friend in western Nebraska senator
A lot of uneasiness exists among ranchers and residents – and bird lovers – in Nebraska’s spacious Sandhills. Angst and disagreements have agitated families and neighbors who live there. Some – certainly not all – fear their beloved land and livelihoods are at risk because of the advancing proposals to place more wind turbines and power lines on the grass prairie and sand dunes that cover about a quarter of the state. “I understand progress. My entire family does,” said Judy Rath, owner with . . . Complete story »
Water and wings: what Chautauqua County stands to lose
Historically, Chautauqua County’s multiple bat populations have always enjoyed a beautiful, resource-rich habitat. Large forested areas and the county’s multiple bodies of water, such as Chautauqua Lake, Cassadaga lakes and Lake Erie are the ideal environment for bat populations to thrive. However, Jonathan Townsend, JCC biology professor and bat researcher, is concerned that both stand to be compromised should Cassadaga Wind, LLC’s request to begin tree-clearing, as early as April 1, be granted by the state siting board. “When bats . . . Complete story »
State’s first Article 10 wind project seeks more changes
Almost three degrees Fahrenheit or 1.5 degrees Celsius: Compared to pre-industrial global temperatures, that’s how much warmer the earth is predicted to be between 2030 and 2052 if global warming continues at the current rate, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In their special report released in October, the IPCC, an intergovernmental body of the United Nations, detailed possible effects of this increase, which they attribute to human activities that have been increasing rapidly since the onset . . . Complete story »
