As renewable energy continues to develop across the northeast, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with industry to reduce the effects of utility-scale wind turbines on threatened and endangered species.
In New York, EDF Renewables’ subsidiary Copenhagen Wind Farm LLC has committed to conservation measures to avoid, minimize and offset effects to endangered Indiana bats and threatened northern long-eared bats at its wind farm in Lewis and Jefferson counties.
“While wind energy operations can have serious effects on bats, there are ways to address those effects,” said David Stilwell, the Service’s New York Field Office supervisor. “This conservation partnership demonstrates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s commitment to environmentally responsible renewable energy and protection of our nation’s treasured wildlife.”
The company will begin following the measures outlined in their 25-year habitat conservation plan, which was approved by the Service July 16, 2020, following an extensive review and public process. The project, estimated to deliver power to 35,000 households, is among the first wind projects in the Northeast to implement a habitat conservation plan for northern long-eared bats.
EDF Renewables (EDFR) will adjust how the farm’s 40 turbines operate at times when bats are most active – during low wind nights of spring, summer and fall. The modifications minimize night-time hours when blades rotate, which will reduce collisions to not only these bat species, but any in the area. Additionally, EDFR has already implemented an offsite initiative to reduce a key threat to bats: disturbance by people during hibernation. A bat-friendly gate was installed at an abandoned mine in Ulster County used by both protected bat species.
Developing and implementing a habitat conservation plan is a requirement for obtaining an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. A permit is also required from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under the State Endangered Species Act. Without such permits, it is illegal to harm or kill federally endangered species and in many cases, threatened species. The plan and permit allow for projects that are anticipated to impact endangered species to continue while the company or individual takes actions to avoid, minimize and mitigate for the impacts.
“The Service will continue to work with wind companies like EDF Renewables to plan operations that minimize effects on protected wildlife,” Stilwell said. “As the nation's energy future unfolds, the government, organizations and companies can work together to meet the needs of people and protected animals and plants.”
The northern long-eared and Indiana bats are two bats species most impacted by the disease white-nose syndrome, first discovered in the U.S. in New York in 2007. White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in North America – up to 90 to 100 percent of bats at some sites. Due to declines caused by the disease and its continued spread, the northern long-eared bat was listed as threatened in 2015. The Indiana bat was listed as endangered in 1967.
