Final wind-turbine rule permits thousands of eagle deaths

[OnlinePoker]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Wednesday finalized a rule that lets wind-energy companies operate high-speed turbines for up to 30 years — even if means killing or injuring thousands of federally protected bald and golden eagles.

Under the new rule, wind companies and other power providers will not face a penalty if they kill or injure up to 4,200 bald eagles, nearly four times the current limit. Deaths of the more rare golden eagles would be allowed without penalty so long as companies minimize losses by taking steps such as retrofitting power poles to reduce the risk of electrocution.

The new rule will conserve eagles while also spurring development of a pollution-free energy source intended to ease global warming, a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's energy plan, said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.

https://www.apnews.com/b8dd6050c702467e8be4b1272a3adc87/Final-wind-turbine-rule-permits-thousands-of-eagle-deaths

[HoneyBadger]

1. The dark side of green energy

The ski slope near me uses them. Turbines are beautiful sculpture in my opinion. But they are like a buzz saw for birds.

[Throck]

2. Ever hike amongst windmills?

There's over 200 in my area that I hike through. I've yet to see one dead bird. I don't doubt some birds are killed but I see it as a lot of hype.


It beats coal by a long run.

[progressoid]

3. "Thousands more are killed by gunshots and poisonings."

It's unclear what toll wind energy companies are having on eagle populations, although Ashe said as many 500 golden eagles a year are killed by collisions with wind towers, power lines, buildings, cars and trucks. Thousands more are killed by gunshots and poisonings.