Wind turbines overall kill some 573,000 birds per year including 83,000 birds of prey. (1) Yet in December 2013, the Obama Administration announced an extension of the existing five-year eagle take permit. Effective immediately, the new rule issued by the Department of Interior will grant 30-year permits allowing wind farms to 'accidentally kill federally protected eagles,' The 'rule' is in direct violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act passed by Congress in 1940. As Marita Noon says, “once again, executive action trumps the law.” (2)
