Date: December 3rd, 2010
Topic: Energy, Wildlife
Type: Other
Jurisdiction: California
After years of litigation and settlement attempts between environmental and wind turbine industry groups, the California AG’s office stepped in and brokered a settlement to protect migratory birds. The litigation surrounded the Altamont Pass Wind Resources Area, which was home to some of the earliest wind turbines built in the 1980s. In 2005, local regulators renewed permits for these facilities, but environmental groups quickly brought suit. After years of litigation and one failed settlement, the California AG’s office got involved in settlement talks. The Agreement requires the NextEra Wind folks to phase in roughly 2,400 new wind turbines with updated technology intended to increase efficiency and reduce danger to bird populations.
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