EARLY RESULTS SHOW WIND CAN PROTECT EAGLES

As U.S. DOJ Investigates, Duke Works Adaptive Management Plan

Mark Del Franco, 16 May 2013 (North American Windpower)

“Duke Energy Renewables has confirmed that it is a subject of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) preliminary investigation resulting from…10 golden eagle deaths…at its 200 MW Top of the World wind farm since the wind farm began operating in October 2010…[and] three golden eagle fatalities at its 99 MW Campbell Hill wind farm since December 2009.

“Golden eagles receive federal protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)…[Duke Energy Renewables] has employed several adaptive management techniques…[T]he company has taken to removing objects and debris from its Wyoming sites, such as animal carcasses, to clear anything that birds and other avian species…find attractive…”

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“The company also employs biologists to watch for birds at the sites…If eagles are spotted…[the biologists notify Duke's] Renewable Energy Monitoring Center (REMC) to stop the turbines…Duke went so far as to employ a radar surveillance system featuring the same technology used by the U.S. military to detect missiles in Afghanistan…

“Thus far, Duke's adaptive management efforts have resulted in zero golden eagle fatalities at either wind farm since September 2012…Duke is in a much better position to understand - and therefore protect - avian species, such as golden eagles…”

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