The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued an ‘eagle take permit’ for NRG Yield’s 137MW Alta East wind farm in California.
The agency said the project could kill up to three golden eagles over five years without having a significant impact on eagle populations in the area.
NRG prepared a conservation plan that includes steps to protect birds and bats from turbines and power lines.
“The result is an overall benefit to the eagle population,” said Eric Davis, assistant regional director of the FWS migratory bird program.
The permit is only the second of its kind issued in the US. It will have to be renewed after five years although FWS has proposed extending permit terms to 30 years.
The 48-turbine Alta East wind farm, located in Tehachapi north of Los Angeles, started commercial operations in 2013.It is located on 2600 acres of private and Bureau of Land Management public land.
Image: Darren Danks
NRG secures eagle take permit
137MW Alta East wind farm in California started operations in 2013
By EBS