WSJ Noticed That Wind Farm Developers Have a License to Kill

No daily limit on eagles, whooping cranes

Year-round hunting season

Wolves, coyotes, skunks setting up shop in wind farms -- all you can eat buffets

I first posted this story back in September, 2011. It appears mainstream media is starting to pick up the story. Or click here to go directly to WSJ article.

From the WSJ via CarpeDiem:

...bird fatalities happen more than 1,200 times every day (440,000 deaths annually and 50 deaths every single hour of the day on average).   For the millions of documented wind-related bird fatalities that have taken place in recent years, how many wind companies have been prosecuted? None - they get a pass. 

Meanwhile, one oil company was taken to court over the death of six (or, was it seven) ducks during one of the worse winters/springs ever experienced in northwestern North Dakota.  The judge, dismissed the case, or ruled the companies not guilty under the particular law with which they were charged.  I think in all, there were 26 migratory ducks that were found dead in oil pad waste pits. I've talked about it several times; if interested, just search "ducks" in this blog's search engine.

The birds killed by the wind turbines will be eaten by wolves, coyotes, and other omnivores.

Later: this was the "duck" story as reported by NewsOK:

Seven oil companies, including one in Oklahoma, have been charged in federal court with killing migratory birds that died after allegedly landing in oil waste pits in western North Dakota.

The charges involve 28 dead birds that were discovered in oil waste pits between May 6 and June 20. The maximum penalty for each charge under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is six months in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Timothy Purdon, the U.S. Attorney for North Dakota, said in a statement Thursday that the allegations “should be troubling to those interested in preserving North Dakota's rich heritage of hunting and fishing, and to the many oil companies to work hard to follow the laws protecting our wildlife.” He declined to comment further on the matter.

Charged in the case are Slawson Exploration Co. Inc., of Wichita, Kan.; ConocoPhillips Co., of Houston; Newfield Production Co., of Houston; Brigham Oil and Gas LP, of Williston, N.D.; Continental Resources Inc., of Enid; Fidelity Exploration & Production Co., of Denver; and Petro Hunt LLC, of Dallas.

 More at the link. Search: ducks drowned migratory charged fine.