A Minnesota wind energy project, backed by substantial funding from the Obama administration’s green initiatives, has come under fire after one of its turbines fatally struck a bald eagle—highlighting potential oversights in the rush to expand renewable energy sources during that era.
Wind Turbine Incident Leads to Federal Fine
The University of Minnesota’s Eolos Wind Energy Research Field Station in Dakota County faces a proposed civil penalty of $14,536 from the U.S. Department of the Interior for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The violation stems from a turbine strike that k*lled a bald eagle, dismembering it into three pieces, with remains found scattered near the site. Graphic photos captured the aftermath, showing the eagle’s lower torso and tail discovered shortly after the impact, and its head and wings located over a month later.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that the university was aware of bird collision risks and was testing detection sensors at the time, but failed to secure an incidental take permit.
A university spokesperson confirmed receipt of the notice, saying it is under review, while emphasizing that no such permit has been obtained to date.
Obama-Era Grant Funds Problematic Project
The turbine involved was part of a broader green energy effort financed by a $7.9 million grant from the Obama Department of Energy in 2010, awarded through the Eolos Wind Energy Research Consortium.
This funding originated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which directed $90 billion toward clean energy development, with the Department of Energy receiving $35.2 billion overall.
The incident raises questions about the long-term environmental trade-offs in projects prioritized under Obama’s push for a sustainable economy, as similar issues have plagued other wind operations.
Calls for Accountability and Broader Enforcement
Trump administration officials have seized on the case to advocate for stricter oversight of renewable energy impacts.
Interior Department spokesperson Matthew Middleton stated: “America’s bald eagles are a national treasure, not collateral damage for costly wind experiments.
Wind companies will no longer get a free pass as this administration safeguards bald eagles and advances energy policies that prioritize affordability and strengthen America’s economy.”
This follows recent fines against Ørsted Onshore North America for two bald eagle deaths at its facilities in Nebraska and Illinois, totaling $32,340. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has criticized wind and solar as unreliable and destabilizing, remarking on “Jesse Watters Primetime” that the “green new scam” undermines energy affordability and reliability.
The episode aligns with the current administration’s focus on energy dominance and pauses on certain offshore wind projects for national security reasons.
