[Nathans_Dad]

Debate on Calif. windmills turns toward bird safety
Conservationists suing to limit 'killer turbines'
By Bobby Caina Calvan, Globe Correspondent, 2/22/2004

ALTAMONT PASS, Calif. -- The first of thousands of giant windmills began sprouting atop this landscape two decades ago. The rolling hills and canyons seemed the ideal place for harnessing the breezes that sweep inland from San Francisco Bay.

But mounting evidence shows otherwise, according to wildlife activists who say scores of golden eagles and hundreds of other raptors -- lured to the area by a bounty of prey -- are falling victim each year to the whirring blades of so-called killer turbines.

"The magnitude of this problem has been known for at least 15 years," said Jeff Miller, a spokesman for the Center for Biological Diversity. "This problem has been studied to death, and there has not been a concerted effort, in our view, to reduce bird kills."

Last month, Miller's group sued two companies that operate the bulk of the 6,200 wind turbines that comprise the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, which spreads over nearly 80 square miles on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay area.

I guess the conservationists would rather us keep burning oil?? Seems like you just can't please em...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/02/22/debate_on_calif_windmills_turns_toward_bird_safety/