WASHINGTON — Wind-energy facilities have killed at least 67 golden and bald eagles in the past five years, but the figure could be much higher, according to a new study by government biologists.
The research represents one of the first tallies of eagle deaths attributed to the nation’s growing wind-energy industry, which has been a pillar of President Barack Obama’s plans to reduce the pollution. Wind power releases no air pollution.
But at a minimum, the scientists wrote, wind farms in 10 states have killed at least 85 eagles since 1997, with most deaths occurring between 2008 and 2012, as the industry was greatly expanding. Most deaths — 79 — were golden eagles that struck wind turbines. One of the eagles counted in the study was electrocuted by a power line.
The scientists said their figure is likely to be “substantially” underestimated because companies report eagle deaths voluntarily.
Wind farms in California and Wyoming were responsible for 58 deaths, followed by facilities in Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Utah, Texas, Maryland and Iowa. In all, 32 facilities were implicated.
