University of Minnesota Faces Penalty for Bald Eagle Death
The University of Minnesota is facing a potential fine exceeding $14,000 after a tragic incident involving the death of an American bald eagle, linked to a green energy program funded by a grant from the Obama administration.
This event took place at the Aeolus Wind Energy Research Field Station in Dakota County, Minnesota. Disturbing photographs reveal the moment a wind turbine struck the eagle, severing its body into three parts, leaving its remains scattered on the ground.
According to a violation notice, the university breached the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by killing the bird without an “incidental take permit.” Consequently, the institution faces a proposed civil penalty of $14,536 for the unlawful taking of what an Interior Department official described as a “national treasure.”
House Republicans have raised concerns over fraudulent research linked to the Chinese Communist Party, apprehensive that it could jeopardize taxpayer-funded scientific endeavors in the U.S.
The Department of the Interior’s notice indicated that the university was aware of the risks posed by bird strikes and was testing collision detection sensors at the time of the incident. The eagle’s remains were discovered in pieces, with technicians first finding the lower torso and tail, while the head and wings were only located more than a month later.
After the event, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached out to the university, urging a reassessment of the turbine’s danger to eagles and suggesting the application for a long-term incidental take permit for eagles. Yet, the violation notice from January does not mention that such a permit has been obtained.
The Minnesota turbines are part of a wider wind energy research collaboration, the Eolus Wind Research Consortium. These turbines were financed by a $7.9 million grant from the Obama Department of Energy in 2010.
Notably, one of former President Barack Obama’s significant legislative achievements was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which allocated an unprecedented $90 billion to establish a foundation for the clean energy economy, with the Department of Energy receiving $35.2 billion of that sum.
This is not an isolated case. In November, it was reported that the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed significant fines against renewable energy company Ørsted Onshore North America for the deaths of two bald eagles caused by wind turbines in Nebraska and Illinois. A notice issued in January confirmed fines totaling $32,340 for the two eagle fatalities.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has criticized both solar and wind power projects for being destabilizing to the power grid and contributing to rising costs. He referred to green energy initiatives as a “Green New New scam,” characterizing them as pro-China and anti-American during a discussion in June.
Matthew Middleton, a spokesperson for the DOI, highlighted the department’s commitment under the Trump administration to uphold the laws protecting these iconic birds and hold industries accountable for their actions that endanger them.
“America’s bald eagles are a national treasure, not collateral damage in an expensive wind experiment,” Middleton commented, emphasizing that wind energy companies would face scrutiny as policies aimed at protecting the bald eagle advance while also emphasizing affordability and economic strengthening.
A representative from the University of Minnesota confirmed receipt of the DOI’s notice and stated that they are currently reviewing it. Ørsted has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the matter.
