global warming & energy - information
renewable energy
WIND ENERGY --
Montana Audubon is working to ensure that wind energy producers do not locate their farms in critical habitat for birds or other wildlife. The problem with wind farms is straightforward: if farms are located in areas heavily used by birds, such as in a migration flyway or on a nesting area for a rare species, lots of birds are unnecessarily killed each year. However, if these areas are avoided, bird deaths are not a problem.
Our goal is to make sure that adequate bird census information is collected and used before wind farms are sited. For this purpose, ‘adequate bird censuses’ means:
- Bird research is conducted during at least one fall season and one spring season of migration (many birds migrate along different routes in different seasons);
- Censuses examine day and night migration (many songbirds migrate at night); &
- Censuses follow accepted research protocol.
Although Montana Audubon recognizes the need for new and creative ways to meet growing energy demands and we support the development of alternative renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, we are concerned about the potential impact of power generating facilities on birds. By assisting wind companies upfront to avoid critical areas for birds, we are working to be part of the wind energy solution.
Learn More:
- DRAFT Wind Energy Siting Policy Guidance Document - Janet Ellis. Nov 2007
- Assessing Impacts of Wind-Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats: A Guidance Document. Journal of Wildlife Management. 2007 (pdf, 1 MB).
- Wind Energy Development and Wildlife Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Wildlife Management. 2007
- Estimating Wind Turbine–Caused Bird Mortality. Journal of Wildlife Management. 2007
Spring in Montana has us thinking about all that SUN energy - renewable and plentiful! Solar energy is becoming more and more affordable and technologically feasible every day, both for small scale residential use and large scale "Solar Thermal Electric". Read all about going big with solar from a recent article at solon.com HERE >>
Nonetheless, there is consensus that the only way for US business to commit to solar now, is for Congress to RENEW TODAY the renewable energy tax credit provisions, including the solar investment tax credit (ITC) extension. More on this SOON.
Learn more from The National Renewable Energy Laboratory or
Learn more from The American Solar Energy Society
