Researchers: wind power poses least risk to wildlife

[Karl]

By Tom Fowler, Houston Chronicle – June 04, 2008

Wind and nuclear power plants have the lowest potential impact on wildlife among the major electricity sources, according to a report examining several decades of research. Taking into account the entire life cycle of a power project — from extraction of the fuel through plant construction, operation and shutdown — the risks to wildlife ranged from low to medium for wind and nuclear, according to Christian Newman, whose firm did a study for New York state officials this year and discussed the findings at the American Wind Energy Association's annual conference, which concluded Wednesday at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Coal power had the highest risk level, in large part because of the impact of smokestack emissions and habitat destruction related to coal mining methods such as mountain top removal. Oil, which is declining in use as a power plant fuel, was given the next-highest risk rating based on emissions and transportation risks. Natural gas-fired plants followed, with only emissions raising their risk rating.

"All energy sources affect wildlife, but no one has looked at all the sources from cradle to grave for their impact," Newman said. The study can help answer concerns about the safety of wind power projects to birds, Newman said. Typically the wind industry responds by pointing to studies that say more birds are killed by cats or by running into cars and buildings than by collisions with wind turbines, he said. "Unfortunately these arguments aren't comparing apples to apples and they don't fix the problem," Newman said. "Wind advocates now have a platform to start talking about the issue without having to point to cats or buildings."

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