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Green Energy Project Kills National Treasure
6 Feb
Summary
- University faces $14,536 penalty for eagle death.
- Wind turbine dismembered a bald eagle into three pieces.
- Grant-funded green energy initiative linked to eagle's demise.
The University of Minnesota is subject to a proposed $14,536 penalty following the death of an American bald eagle at its wind energy research field station. The incident involved a turbine that dismembered the bird, a protected national symbol. This occurred at the Eolos Wind Energy Research Field Station in Dakota County, Minnesota.
The university violated the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by not having an "incidental take permit." The eagle's remains were discovered in pieces, with its head and wings found over a month after the torso and tail. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urged the university to reassess turbine dangers and seek a permit.
The turbine is part of the Eolos Wind Energy Research Consortium, funded by a $7.9 million grant from the Obama Department of Energy in 2010. This incident follows similar proposed penalties against renewable energy companies for eagle deaths caused by wind turbines in other states.
