A Wind Energy Company To Pay $8M+ Over Death of at Least 150 Eagles

Credit: AP
Credit: AP

ESI Energy, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, will go on probation and pay more than $8 million in fines and restitution after pleading guilty to causing the deaths of eagles at 3 of its wind farms. As part of the plea deal, the company will also spend up to $27 million over the 5-year probation period on efforts to stop any more eagle deaths, with an agreement to pay $29,623 per bird for any eagle that dies on its properties during that time.

Golden and bald eagles were killed at other ESI-linked farms across 8 states. In all, over the past decade, at least 150 golden and bald eagles have died, mainly after being hit by the turbines’ blades. While neither golden nor bald eagles are on the U.S.’s endangered species list, both species are protected by federal law, and ESI Energy was prosecuted for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Typically, trying to avoid bird deaths and getting permits for killed eagles are enough for wind energy companies to avoid prosecution—in this case, it’s been reported that court documents say that ESI did neither of these things.

“We disagree with the government's underlying enforcement activity,” said NextEra President Rebecca Kujawa in a statement, reported by the AP. “Building any structure, driving any vehicle, or flying any airplane carries with it a possibility that accidental eagle and other bird collisions may occur.”