Endangered Species Act reforms finalized amid wind energy wildlife fatalities

The Trump administration finalized reforms to the Endangered Species Act in July, a move that narrowed habitat protections and drew criticism from environmental groups.

In a related development regarding wildlife impact, NextEra Energy subsidiary ESI Energy was ordered to pay over $8 million in fines and restitution and received five years of probation. The penalties follow findings that the company killed at least 150 bald and golden eagles across 50 of its wind facilities. These deaths occurred under federal incidental-take permits, which allow wind energy operators to legally injure or kill protected species as a routine operational cost.

In response to these issues, California is offering grants of up to $1.5 million to assist in protecting golden eagles from turbine strikes in the Altamont Pass and Tehachapi wind areas.