WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration has finalized a rule to let wind-energy companies operate high-speed turbines for up to 30 years – even if that means killing or injuring thousands of federally protected bald and golden eagles.
Under a rule announced Wednesday, wind companies and other power providers face no penalty if they kill or injure up to 4,200 bald eagles. That’s nearly four times the current limit.
The standards are tougher for the more rare golden eagle.
Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe says the new rule will conserve eagles while also spurring development of a pollution-free energy source intended to ease global warming, a cornerstone of the Obama energy plan.