Trump Administration Fines Green Energy Company for Eagle Deaths
Recently, the Trump administration’s Interior Department imposed a fine exceeding $30,000 on a green energy company due to incidents involving two bald eagles being struck by wind turbines. This information was revealed in a violation notice that was examined by sources.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is suggesting a penalty of $32,340 against Ørsted Onshore North America after the remains of two bald eagles were discovered near wind facilities in Plum Creek, Nebraska, and Lincolnland, Illinois. The notice indicates the company breached the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by causing the eagles’ deaths without holding an “incidental take permit.”
The first bald eagle was found deceased at a turbine near Ørsted’s Plum Creek site in Nebraska back in March 2024. Following this, its remains were sent to the National Institute of Fish and Wildlife Sciences for examination, which confirmed the cause of death as a wind turbine collision.
About a year later, on April 18, another eagle was found dead only 200 yards away from a turbine in Lincolnland. Autopsy results indicated that this eagle’s death also resulted from a similar impact.
High School Football Seasons Affected by Protected Species
Because Ørsted lacked the necessary permit to harm eagles, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed civil penalties of $16,170 for each eagle, totaling $32,340. The company has a timeframe of 45 days to respond to the notice before any fine is officially issued.
Representatives for the Plum Creek and Lincoln Land Wind Facilities mentioned that Ørsted was made aware of the notice issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on October 29 and that the company is actively cooperating with authorities regarding this matter.
Ørsted Onshore is part of the larger Danish company Ørsted A/S, which operates 13 wind energy sites across the United States. Their corporate objectives include the development, construction, and operation of various renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms. They are known for their offshore wind projects globally, including those in the U.S.
Interestingly, Ørsted has been one of the examples pointed to by President Biden as a success within the clean energy sector. However, some of their high-profile offshore initiatives, like Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 in New Jersey, faced financial challenges and were ultimately scrapped, complicating Biden’s eco-friendly agenda.
The company asserts that it aims to create a world powered entirely by renewable energy, emphasizing job creation and economic revitalization while also focusing on environmental stewardship.
Despite having no previous wildlife violations, the Fish and Wildlife Service noted that Ørsted failed to secure an eagle capture permit after the first fatality in 2024, even though they knew of the risks their turbines posed. They did indicate that Ørsted acted in good faith by reporting the incident to the bureau and complied with guidance on preserving the eagle’s remains.
Government’s Responsibility to Protect Eagles
While the notice highlights the seriousness of the violations, it also points out that bald eagle populations have rebounded significantly, yet they remain vulnerable to human threats. Bald and golden eagles are considered sacred and culturally important to many Native American communities, reinforcing the government’s obligation to ensure their protection.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has voiced concerns about renewable energy initiatives, arguing that they could undermine energy stability and escalate costs. His comments reflect a broader skepticism towards certain green energy projects, suggesting that they sometimes clash with American interests.
