Research finds wind power poses least risk to wildlife

[jpak]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5819709.html

Wind and nuclear power plants have the lowest potential impact on wildlife among the major U.S. electricity sources, according to a report examining several decades of research.

Taking into account the entire life cycle of a power project — from extraction of the fuel through plant construction, operation and shutdown — the risks to wildlife ranged from low to medium for wind and nuclear, according to Christian Newman, president of Florida-based Pandion Systems.

<snip>

Coal power had the highest risk level, in large part because of the impact of smokestack emissions and habitat destruction related to coal mining methods such as mountain top removal.

Oil, which is declining in use as a power plant fuel, was given the next-highest risk rating based on emissions and transportation risks. Natural gas-fired plants followed, with only emissions raising their risk rating.

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[NightWatcher]

1. the biggest risk from windmills, birds smacked by the propeller blades

[electropop]

3. Right.

Apparently, recent studies show that bird kills happen under very specific conditions of weather and migration patterns. Advocates are saying that shutting down the windmills a couple of nights out of the year would greatly reduce the problem.

[electropop]

2. It appears they didn't even look at solar!

:wtf: