With global warming as the recent focus in the media, it seems that wind power might be the answer to our growing energy demands. With the deaths of raptors in California and bats in the Appalchian region from the wind turbines it seems like it may not be the solution. Six week studies during the bat migratory season were conducted at Mountaineer wind energy facility as well as Meyersdale Wind Energy Facility and the findings estimated that between 2000-4000 bats were killed. This does not include the rest of the season, an entire bat migratory season is from April- Oct.
This issue has divided the environmental community and both sides disagree as to "how" to resolve the issue so bats and wind turbines can co-exist. New technologies like acoustical deterrance are currently being explored. There is a prototype that may be marketed to wind developers in the near future, but I think the much larger issue here is how the wind turbines and wind facilities are being sited. Also, what needs to be determined is the bats migratory route (most pass over ridges) to prevent further deaths from wind turbines.
I guess we have to determine how many bat deaths are enough to cause a change within the current "suggested" guidelines by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.
http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/wind.pdf
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05906....0guidelines%22
I think that a law definately needs to be passed to give at broad-based protection beyond caves. What do other people think about the guidelines and perhaps a new law to give bats more coverage?
For more information on this subject check out:
http://www.batcon.org/home/default.asp
http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idPage=55
http://www.nationalwind.org/workgrou...fe/default.htm
http://www.awea.org/faq/tutorial/wwt_environment.html
