Golden Eagles and Wind Energy

I wrote recently about research that was done to find out what effects wind turbines might have on migrating songbirds (see http://natlands.typepad.com/from_the_field_mariton/2006/12/wind_power_and_.html)  The Pennsylvania Game Commission just announced on their website that they will be partnering with the National Aviary and Carnegie Museum of Natural History to research migration patterns of Golden Eagles in Pennsylvania.  (To read the press release click http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?Q=171118&A=11).  The Appalachian Mountains in PA are an important migration corridor for Golden Eagles.  Many of these ridges are also targeted for wind turbines.  So, it is great that the Game Commission and their partners are taking this proactive step to research migration patterns that can lead to informed placement for wind power projects.

Wind farms on PA ridges are increasing.  As I said before, I support wind energy, but we should be able to harness the wind, and at the same time have minimal effect on the species using these areas, whether for migration or daily travel.  We should also be able to decrease the amount of electricity that we use each day.