Robert Bryce, writing in the WSJ, notes that although conventional energy companies have been charged numerous times for the bird deaths caused by electrocution from power lines, or from contact with crude oil or some other contaminants, the Justice Department doesn’t prosecute the wind companies whose turbines kill an estimated 75,000 to 275,000 birds each year.
One wind farm in particular seems to be a co-venture between Giant Blender Co. and the Grim Reaper:
A July 2008 study of the wind farm at Altamont Pass, Calif., estimated that its turbines kill an average of 80 golden eagles per year. The study, funded by the Alameda County Community Development Agency, also estimated that about 10,000 birds—nearly all protected by the migratory bird act—are being whacked every year at Altamont.
Oh well. I’m sure that over time we’ll all come to love the (thud!) whirring hum of the the (fwack!) eco-friendly wind turbines that will (konk!) help protect the natural world for (fftunng!) future generations.
While there’s no denying the dent made to wildlife populations by cars and pets, it is my understanding that it is the larger birds that take the hits at wind farms. I hadn’t heard about the bats, but that’s not good either. Even while belled, our cats take out at least one LBJ [little brown job] a week with the occasional cardinal and blue jay thrown in for good measure. The dog took out one squirrel since I adopted him in June so his possibilities are potent. In the meantime, neither have brought down any crows, wild turkeys, red-tailed hawks, owls or eagles.
As is the norm, the left fully intends to dismantle existing institutions without understanding the implications of their solutions or with actually nothing to take their place.