Documents
Category:
Impact on Bats
Evaluating Bird and Bat Post-Construction Impacts at the Sheffield Wind Facility, Vermont
March 24, 2013
by Colleen Martin, Ed Arnett, and Mark Wallace
The Sheffield Wind Energy facility, a 40 megawatt project that went into service in October 2011, released the first season of bird/bat mortality. Total bird fatality estimates for the project site for the entire season was 211 (95% CI: 147, 321), with an estimated 13.17 birds killed per turbine (95% CI: 9.20, 20.05). A total of 87 bats of three species from 1 April-31 October, all of which were migratory tree-roosting bats. Bat carcasses were found at all 16 turbines. The full report can be found by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.
Also filed under [
Impact on Birds|
Vermont]
This report from Boston University is about a year old but well worth the read. "For such small animals, bats have unusually low reproductive rates, with an average mother producing only one or two young each year. At this rate, it could take decades to reverse dramatic losses to bat populations. The hoary bat, one of the most commonly killed species by wind turbines in North America, may not be able to sustain anticipated losses to its population within the next ten years."
Bats and Wind Energy—A literature synthesis and annotated bibliography
May, 2012
by Laura E. Ellison
This document, prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides a current review of bat mortality due to wind turbines. The executive summary is shown below. The full report can be accessed by selecting the link at the bottom of the page.
Also filed under [
USA]
Population-level impact of white-nose syndrome on the endangered Indiana bat
January 1, 2012
by Wayne E. Thogmartin, R. Andrew King, Patrick C. Mckann, Jennifer A. Szymanski, and Lori Pruitt
The important report examines the impact of White Nose Syndrome on Indiana bat populations and the opportunity, if any, for the populations to recover. In addition, renewable energy generation has resulted in the erection of thousands of wind turbines in the midwestern United States, resulting in significant mortality of both migrant and resident bats. The abstract of the paper is below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
USA]
Notice of violations of the endangered species act and act’s implementing regulations in connection with the proposed Shaffer Mountain Wind Project
November 2, 2011
by William S. Eubanks II and Eric R. Glitzenstein
This letter of intent to sue was filed with the Department of the Interior and the US Army Corps in reference to a proposed wind energy facility to be built on Shaffer Mountain in Penmsylvania. Excerpts of the letter appear below. The complete letter and supporting testimony can be accessed by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.
Wind turbines as landscape impediments to the migratory connectivity of bats
April, 2011
by Paul M. Cryan
Unprecedented numbers of migratory bats are found dead beneath industrial-scale wind turbines during late summer and autumn in both North America and Europe. This paper by Paul Cryan discusses how conservation laws are inadequate for protecting bats.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
USA]
Economic importance of bats in agriculture
April 1, 2011
by Justin G. Boyles, Paul M. Cryan, Gary F. McCracken, Thomas H. Kunz
White-nose syndrome (WNS) and the increased development of wind-power facilities are threatening populations of insectivorous bats in North America. This important paper presents analyses suggesting that loss of bats in North America could lead to agricultural losses estimated at more than $3.7 billion/year. An excerpt of the paper is provided below. The full paper can be downloaded by clicking on the link(s) below.
Also filed under [
USA]
Save Western Maryland et.al. complaint filed against Constellation Energy
December 21, 2010
by Martin I. Moylan
Save Western Maryland, the Maryland Conservation Council, Ajax Eastman, and L. Daniel Boone filed a formal complaint in US District Court claiming Constellation Energy violated the endangered species act for failing to seek and obtain an incidental take permit in reference to the Constallation wind project located on Backbone Mountain in Garrett County, Maryland. The full complaint can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
Notice of violations of the Endangered Species Act, Constellation Green Energy LLC
June 23, 2010
by Bradley W. Stephens
Notice of intent to sue was filed in reference to Constellation Green Energy LLC's installation and long-term operation of wind turbines in Garrett County, Maryland. The project will consist of 28 industrial scale wind towers along 8 miles of the ridge of Backbone Mountain. Available evidence demonstrates that the Constellation wind project will almost certainly result in unauthorized takes of Indiana bats and Virginia big-eared bats.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Maryland]
Effectiveness of changing wind turbine cut-in speed to reduce bat fatalities at wind facilities
April, 2010
by Edward B. Arnett, Michael Schirmacher, Manuela M. P. Huso and John P. Hayes
This important document reports on the effectiveness of changing turbine cut-in speed on reducing bart fataility at wind turbines facilities. The executive summary of the report is provided below. The full document can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
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