Do turbines impact local wildlife?
Steelhead is actively engaged in assessing risk to wildlife from wind energy development and supporting development of cost-effective, science-based solutions to ensure responsible development.
During the development process, we coordinate with subject matter experts as well as state and federal agency biologists to design and implement studies to evaluate risk to wildlife. Results are used to inform siting and develop operational protocols for facilities to minimize any potential impacts. All projects complete at least one year of operational monitoring to evaluate impacts and either confirm low risk conclusions or inform management responses if necessary. Steelhead is committed to all projects meeting federal, state and local environmental regulations.
Learn more about wind turbine’s environmental impacts here.
Do turbines kill bats?
During planning and siting, Steelhead takes steps to identify local bat species and high-risk locations. We work with local and state agencies to create mitigation strategies and comply with federal laws like the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the Vestas Bat Protection System available with our turbines enables controlled operation during periods of higher bat activity. NRG detection and deterrent systems also minimize impacts.
Do turbines kill birds?
While some turbines cause bird mortality, the frequency is very low. Credible estimates indicate that currently installed capacity affects less than 0.01% of most species populations.
Where mortality does occur, most takes place during migration, so typically resident species and local populations are unaffected. Many important species have been documented to have low vulnerability to collision (e.g waterfowl like ducks and geese, water birds like cranes, herons and egrets, American golden plover) and utilize areas in wind farms for nesting, foraging and migratory stopover.
Collaboration between government, conservation agencies, and renewable energy developers has helped create rigorous guidelines for protecting bird populations. For example:
- Identifying and avoiding major migratory routes, areas of high conservation value, and critical habitat in siting
- Curtailment for eagle populations
- Providing compensatory mitigation where impact cannot be avoided
The Audubon Society strongly supports well-sited and well-planned wind projects because they reduce the threat to birds posed by air pollution, habitat loss, and climate crisis generated by fossil fuels. Learn more about wind turbines impact on birds here.
A study by Conklineet al., 2022 found wind and solar are putting 48% of US bird species at risk of population level effects. How do you respond? What is Steelhead doing to protect birds?
Conkling et al. modeled the potential for population impacts from renewable and other sources of mortality for 23 bird species known to be susceptible to impacts from renewable energy in California. They concluded that 11 (48%) of the 23 species evaluated could be negatively affected by increased levels of mortality resulting from renewables AND other sources. The 23 species evaluated by the authors represent only a small fraction of all birds species and shows that significant effects caused by wind projects could impact a subset of bird populations at varying scales; however, the study does not indicate that 48% of bird populations are going to decline as a result of renewables.
This study speaks to the importance of avoiding and minimizing impacts and mitigated those impacts where they might be significant. It is important to note that wind impacts on birds are typically minor and we do studies to look specifically at what species are present and likely to be affected, and we take measures to minimize risk to these birds through siting of project facilities. During the development process, Steelhead coordinates with subject matter experts as well as state and federal agencies to design and implement studies to evaluate risk to wildlife and ensure responsible development.
