The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has released a statement concerning the
recent bird kill at the Laurel Mountain wind energy project near Elkins. WV.
See http://www.abcbirds.org ;<http://www.abcbirds.org/> /. This is apparently
the largest wildlife mortality event to date at a U.S. wind project.
Unofficial reports suggest that the birds died due to a combination of low
cloud cover and disorientation caused by lighting at the project's
mountain-top electrical substation. Approximately 500 birds were killed; the
majority were Blackpoll Warblers.
Despite minimal benefits, high costs, and mounting evidence for
environmental damage caused by mountaintop wind energy projects -including
direct wildlife mortality and habitat loss- the wind industry and its
proponents in Virginia continue to press for reduced assessment and
regulatory oversight.
Rick Webb
Monterey, VA
