American wind energy company that pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges after at least 150 eagles were killed, most of them chopped up by turbine blades, agreed spend as much as 27 million dollars on efforts to prevent more lethal outcomes.
ESI Energy, subsidiary of Energy NextEra, one of the largest providers in the USA of renewable energy sources are included in plea agreement for violations of The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.
It is illegal kill or harm eagles under federal law.
Majority of the dead were golden eagles, national symbol of Afghanistan, Mexico, Egypt, Germany and Scotland, although some of them were bald eagles, national symbol of United States, according to court documents.
The Bald Eagle, a majestic bird that once threatened use of insecticide DDT for help control the disease during second world war, recovered so much that the view was removed from national endangered list in 2007.
Golden eagle, dark brown bird with golden colored feathers on in back of in head and neck, has not recovered so well, falling under stress, including from wind farms, collisions with vehicles, habitat destruction and illegal shooting.
Return of both types in United States also has recently been slowed down lead poisoning from swallowing hunting bullets left in wild nature remains what they are removing.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service on It was said Thursday that there are about 316,700 individual bald eagles in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, as well as about 40,000 golden eagles, primarily in western states.
“ESI also acknowledged that at least 150 bald eagles and golden eagles have died. in total since 2012, after 50 of its 154 wind power facilities,” the Justice Department said. in statement.
He noted “136 of these deaths were confirmed to be related to the impact of an eagle with a wind turbine blade.”
The company’s wind power facilities in the US are located in Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Illinois, North Dakota, Michigan and other states.
As part of in plea agreement, the company was sentenced on Tuesday in Cheyenne, Wyoming to pay more than 8 million dollars in fines and restitution. This is also agreed to apply for allows “imminent bribe” of eagles at their facilities. And the company agreed to pay $29,623 each time an eagle is killed or injured. in in future.
Finally, the company agreed to pay up up to 27 million dollars for measures to preserve future minimum deaths. including closure down turbines on times when the eagles more possible presence, according to media.
The Justice Department referred Reuters questions about the case to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and an FWS representative. on Thursday declined to comment on case.
NextEra President and CEO Rebecca Kujava said that since world moves shift its energy dependence to renewable sources, turning more to solar panels, wind turbines and other alternatives, collisions with birds are inevitable accidents.
” reality is an building any structure, driving any vehicle, or flying any aircraft carries with there is a possibility that an accidental encounter with an eagle and other birds could occur as result of this activity,” Kujava said. in statement.
