Wind turbines causing bird deaths being targeted for restriction under Trump's new policy
In a surprising turn of events, the Trump administration has proposed to tighten protections for bald eagles against harm caused by wind turbines, while simultaneously pursuing a broader crackdown on wind energy development [1][3][5][4]. This approach, however, seems to contradict the administration's broader weakening of environmental protections, including rollbacks and undermining of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act [1][2].
The administration's stance on wind energy development has raised eyebrows, as it has been accused of a double standard. While wind turbines are under scrutiny, other industrial sources like oil pits and power lines, which kill more birds, have seen relaxed regulations [1][2]. Critics argue this selective enforcement aligns with the administration’s “energy dominance” agenda to suppress wind energy growth and favor fossil fuels, rather than a consistent commitment to protecting eagle populations or wildlife overall [1][3][4].
The Trump administration's focus on wind turbines is not without controversy. While wind turbines can have a detrimental effect on bald and golden eagles, they are not a significant threat to the overall population [6]. In contrast, buildings, cats, and oil pits cause significantly more bird deaths [7]. Some view the new bald eagle policy as cynical, with Tracy Stone-Manning stating that if the administration truly cared about eagles, they would create regulatory protections for them [8].
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to review a regulation that allows wind energy companies to harm a certain number of eagles during their operations [9]. However, the administration's actions towards other environmental laws paint a different picture. In April, Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to sunset regulations that stem from the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, along with other federal laws [10]. This move has been seen as a victory by the oil and gas industry, as they argue they have been unfairly prosecuted for accidental bird deaths [11].
The Trump administration's mixed messages on bald eagle protection and energy development have raised questions about its commitment to both wildlife conservation and renewable energy. The administration's actions seem to prioritise fossil fuel interests and limit renewable energy under the guise of eagle protection [1][2][3][4][5].
| Aspect | Trump Administration Actions | Conflict/Contradiction | |-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Enforcement toward wind turbines | Tightening enforcement; investigating eagle deaths; halting wind projects | Focuses eagle protections narrowly on wind energy, increasing regulatory pressure on wind developers | | Broader environmental laws | Rolling back Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections favoring fossil fuels | Weakening laws overall while selectively increasing wind restrictions | | Impact on energy sectors | Restricting wind power development aggressively | Easing fossil fuel industry’s regulatory burden despite greater risks to birds and habitat |
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/climate/trump-wind-energy-eagles.html [2] https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/8/16/20797168/trump-wind-energy-eagles-endangered-species-act [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/08/15/trump-administration-tightens-rules-wind-energy-development-while-weakening-protections-for-eagles/ [4] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/15/trump-administration-wind-energy-eagles-1471766 [5] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-windenergy-eagles/trump-administration-tightens-rules-for-wind-energy-development-idUSKCN1VU2JQ [6] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wind-turbines-kill-fewer-birds-than-you-might-think/ [7] https://www.audubon.org/news/wind-energy-industry-needs-do-better-avoiding-birds [8] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/15/trump-administration-wind-energy-eagles-1471766 [9] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/15/trump-administration-wind-energy-eagles-1471766 [10] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/climate/trump-executive-order-climate-change.html [11] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-windenergy-eagles/trump-administration-tightens-rules-for-wind-energy-development-idUSKCN1VU2JQ
- The administration's efforts to tighten protections for bald eagles against harm from wind turbines appear to contradict their broader strategy of weakening environmental regulations, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- Critics contend that the Trump administration's selective enforcement of regulations, specifically focusing on wind turbines while relaxing restrictions for industrial sources like oil pits and power lines, aligns with their "energy dominance" agenda that favors fossil fuels over renewable energy and wildlife protection.
- The new bald eagle policy has raised questions about the administration's commitment to both wildlife conservation and renewable energy, as their actions seem to prioritize fossil fuel interests and limit renewable energy under the guise of eagle protection.
- Concurrently, the administration has taken steps to weaken other environmental laws, such as an executive order directing agencies to sunset regulations that stem from the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which has been seen as a victory by the oil and gas industry.
