Above: A red-tailed nozzle takes off from a dormant turbine blade near Livermore, California, in 2013. Visual: Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle Getty Images
At Altamont, scientists are still working to determine the effects on birds and bats, with a technical committee set up to oversee the work. The works remain an open question, Lopez said. Installing fewer turbines that produce more power consistent with the unit than previous models is expected to provide fewer collision problems for birds and more area for habitat. And when new wind turbines are installed, scientists can submit proposals for a job site where birds are less likely to hit them. But other variables influence mortality outside the length and space of the turbine, according to the 2021 report according to Katzner and other scientists, such as season, weather and bird habit in the region. .
“Every time we get an animal carcass, it comes at a price for research,” Katzner said. “If you think about it from a clinical point of view, if you leave this corpse in the field, wasting data. “
“At this point, we just don’t have a voice in the ring, and that’s unfortunate,” Voelker said.
Ricky Gieser holds a bag of bats he was given in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel.
Image: Courtesy of Ricky Gieser
Emma Foehringer Merchant is a journalist covering climate change, energy and the environment. Her paintings have been featured in Boston Globe Magazine, Inside Climate News, Greentech Media, Grist and other media outlets.