Key to successful wind development in any landscape is careful siting; also key to the future of wind development is making siting decisions based on vigilant observation of the effects wind farms have on their environments. Wind energy developers have been sensitive to bird mortality since the California wind energy boom in the 1980s. At the time, lattice-type towers, no longer used because they are attractive nesting locations, contributed to the death of raptors, which lived and hunted in the same windy areas in one specific location near San Francisco in which the turbines had been built. As a result of unexpected bat mortality at the Mountaineer Wind Project in West Virginia, wind energy developers are also paying increasing attention to this issue to understand the causes of bat deaths and potential mitigation measures.

Current Studies

We are conducting avian and bat mortality studies at the Top of Iowa Wind Farm  as part of our ongoing effort to understand and minimize any impacts to the environment as a result of our projects. Horizon is also helping to fund a three-year collaborative bat research effort with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Please click here to open a PDF copy of Avian Mortality Associated with the Top of Iowa Wind Farm.

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