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Windmills that kill birds, bats get a pass; If owners agree to limit harm, state won't sue
Building turbines in some of the best places to harvest wind in Ohio could put millions of birds and bats -- some protected by state and federal law -- at risk.
That's why the state is asking companies to sign voluntary agreements to study the risk before and after wind farms are built. And if the companies follow the rules, neither Ohio nor the feds will shut down turbines, even if thousands of animals are killed.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently sent agreements to 10 developers, and hired a wildlife biologist last week to draft rules that the companies would have to follow to limit harm. ...The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said it expects to join in the state's voluntary agreement as well.
"We would agree to work cooperatively with (companies) and not necessarily pursue court action if wildlife species are taken," said Megan Seymour, a wildlife biologist at the agency's Ohio field office.
March 26, 2008
by Kevin Mayhood and Spencer Hunt
in Columbus Dispatch
Building turbines in some of the best places to harvest wind in Ohio could put millions of birds and bats -- some protected by state and federal law -- at risk.
That's why the state is asking companies to sign voluntary agreements to study the risk before and after wind farms are built. And if the companies follow the rules, neither Ohio nor the feds will shut down turbines, even if thousands of animals are killed.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently sent agreements to 10 developers, and hired a wildlife biologist last week to draft rules that the companies would have to follow to limit harm.
This comes as Gov. Ted Strickland is pushing for legislation that would require alternative-energy sources, including wind, and the Ohio Department of Development is offering millions of dollars in incentives to manufacture wind-turbine parts here.
Three companies -- Horizon Wind Energy, Iberdrola Renewables and Invenergy Wind... [continue via Web link]
