The state of Wyoming has become the epicenter of a struggle between wind energy and the at-risk golden eagles which inhabit the area. As more wind turbines are being built in areas favored by the birds, the risk of a potential population decline has been growing exponentially.
“In Wyoming, where this is kind of the nexus of eagles and wind, we do have to pause and think about is this the right space and is this the right landscape for this type of energy extraction,” said Bryan Bedrosian, director of the Teton Raptor Center.
Wind turbine blades can reach speeds of up to 180 mph, making them a danger for a species that is used to being at the top of the food chain and has never had to be on the alert for a natural predator. With only about 40,000 golden eagles in the United States, compared to the estimated 346,000 bald eagles in the country, the species is on the brink of a decline that is being exacerbated by deaths from turbine collisions.
Wyoming currently derives nearly a third of its total power from wind energy, and has plans to triple its wind-power capacity by 2030. The importance of this power source to the state has led some energy companies to implement a variety of mitigation tactics aimed at preventing golden eagle deaths on their wind farms.
“We have personnel at wind sites who are monitoring the activity of birds–particularly golden eagles in Wyoming. And they have the authority to stop individual turbines if birds are observed in the area,” said David Eskelsen, spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp.
While some of these attempts at mitigating the impact of turbines on eagles have show preliminary success, further research is still needed to determine their long-term effect in Wyoming. Straight Arrow News recently visited the region to speak with experts and investigate potential solutions, and the full report will publish on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
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