A Minnesota green energy program, funded by the Obama administration, has been fined for the tragic death of a bald eagle, a 'national treasure'. The incident occurred at the University of Minnesota's Eolos Wind Energy Research Field Station, where a wind turbine struck and dismembered the eagle, leaving a bloodied carcass on the ground. The university was found to have violated the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by killing the eagles without the necessary 'incidental take permit'. As a result, they face a proposed civil penalty of $14,536. This is not an isolated incident; in November, a renewable energy company, Ørsted Onshore North America, faced hefty fines for two bald eagle kills by wind turbines in Nebraska and Illinois. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has urged the university to reassess the turbine's danger to eagles and apply for a long-term permit, but the DOI's notice of violation does not indicate that the university has obtained any such permit. The incident raises questions about the safety of wind energy projects and the protection of endangered species. Critics, such as U.S. Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, argue that these projects are destabilizing the grid and driving up prices. The DOI's spokesperson, Matthew Middleton, emphasizes the importance of protecting these iconic birds and holding the industry accountable for their actions.
