USA
Wind farm kills at least 150 eagles – company has to pay millions in fines
At least 150 eagles are said to have been killed at ESI Energy’s wind farms – costing the company millions
© Andreas Nesslinger / Getty Images
Killing eagles is illegal in the United States. With at least 150 of these birds of prey killed by ESI Energy’s wind turbines, the company faces a heavy fine.
The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. Killing these and other eagle species is a criminal offense under US law and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The wind farm operator ESI Energy was now before the court. The company has been accused of killing eagles at three of its wind farms in Wyoming and New Mexico. In all, at least 150 eagles are believed to have been killed in ESI Energy wind turbines over the past decade.
NextEra Energy’s subsidiary pleaded guilty on Tuesday. The court in Cheyenne, Wyoming, ordered the company to pay more than eight million US dollars in fines and damages. This was confirmed by the federal prosecutor’s office on Wednesday. The birds are said to have flown into the rotor blades of the wind turbines and been killed by them. Among them are several golden and bald eagles, says the public prosecutor.
ESI ignored federal alerts against bird deaths
In the US, companies have historically been able to avoid criminal prosecution by taking preventive measures to avoid bird deaths or by obtaining permits to do so. ESI Energy is said to have never applied for such a permit. Court documents show the company was warned before building its wind farms in New Mexico and Wyoming that they would kill birds. Despite this, ESI Energy reportedly continued construction of the facilities and ignored recommendations from the US Fish & Wildlife Service to minimize bird deaths.
As part of the court agreement, ESI Energy has agreed to spend up to $27 million during the five-year probation period to help prevent future Eagle deaths. This includes shutting down turbines at times when eagles are most likely to be in the vicinity.
Nearly $30,000 fine for each eagle killed
Nevertheless, conservation authorities believe more eagles will be killed by the wind turbines. In that case, the agreement said the company would pay $29,623 per dead eagle.
NextEra Energy President Rebecca Kujawa believes that bird collisions with wind turbines are unavoidable accidents that should not be criminalized. “When constructing a building, driving a vehicle, or flying an airplane, there’s always a chance of collisions with eagles and other birds,” says Kujawa.
swell: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NPR