Wind turbines are a technology that has many admirers in the world of green energy, and it’s not hard to see why — wind is, after all, something that’s relatively constant, without the potential to run out. For people, turbines are a net positive. For some eagles, however, the opposite is the case. And that’s what brings us to the fine levied against ESI Energy, which puts two admirable things — renewable energy and conservation — at odds with one another.
As The Washington Post reported, the energy company in question recently agreed to pay $35 million in fines due to the company’s wind turbines killing a number of eagles.
At issue here is one of the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the killing of protected birds without a permit. ESI Energy pleaded guilty to killing approximately 150 eagles since 2012 as a result of the birds getting caught in wind turbines.
Of the $35 million the company agreed to pay, $8 million takes the form of fines. A Justice Department press release noted that the remaining $27 million would go towards “measures intended to minimize additional eagle deaths and injuries.” It’s not clear what those are at this point, though a Norwegian study found that painting turbine blades can dramatically reduce bird fatalities.
Meet your guide
More Like This
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
