Wind energy and golden eagles collide in the U.S. West
Ground zero in the conflict is Wyoming, a stronghold for golden eagles that soar on seven-foot wings and a favored location for wind farms. As wind turbines proliferate, scientists saycould drive down golden eagle numbers considered stable at best and likely to drop in some areas.
“We have some of the best golden eagle populations in Wyoming, but it doesn’t mean the population is not at risk,” said Bryan Bedrosian, conservation director at the Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyo. “As we increase wind development across the U.S., that risk is increasing.” The six-week-old bird was lowered and carefully extracted by Bedrosian's colleague, Charles Preston, a zip tie around its feet as a precaution against inch-long talons.The eaglet went on a scale — about seven pounds . Bedrosian drew some blood from a wing to test for lead exposure, and Preston clamped a metal identification band onto each leg.
“Wind mortality wasn’t a thing for golden eagles 10 years ago,” Bedrosian said. “I don’t want to pick on wind as the only thing. ... But it’s the additive nature of all these things and several are increasing. Vehicle strikes are increasing. Climate change is increasing. Wind is increasing.”The recent criminal prosecution of a NextEra Energy subsidiary offered a glimpse into the problem's scope.
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