By: The Associated Press 12/23/10 9:19 AM
The Associated Press
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FILE: Giant wind turbines are powered by strong prevailing winds near Palm Springs, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Some conservationists have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the startup of Maryland’s first industrial wind farm because it allegedly threatens federally protected Indiana bats.
The complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt seeks to stop Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Group Inc. from beginning operation of its 28 turbines on Backbone Mountain in Garrett County unless the company first obtains an “incidental take permit” from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for any Indiana bats that might be hit or injured by the spinning blades.
Constellation spokesman Kevin Thornton said the company has consulted with federal wildlife officials and is in the process of applying for the permit. He said a study is under way to determine what harm the turbines might do to the endangered bats, and Constellation hopes to have federal approval by spring.
A similar lawsuit brought in the same Greenbelt court last year forced developers of a West Virginia wind project to reduce the number of planned turbines after the judge ruled that Indiana bats hibernating in the area almost certainly would be harmed by the blades. The West Virginia developer also agreed not to operate the turbines at night or at times of year when the bats would be flying until it obtained federal permits.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/nation/2010/12/conservation-groups-sue-block-md-wind-farm#ixzz19VfaRV7d
