Pattern scraps 100MW project over bird concerns
UNITED STATES: Pattern Energy has been forced to cut a 100MW wind project in California as a result of environmental concerns.
The developer said the Yolo County wind project, near Sacramento, had been cancelled following concerns about the wind farm's effect on the local bird population. Pattern said this included Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles.
The project was in the planning stages and had not yet gone into construction.
Speaking about the decision, Pattern CEO Mike Garland said: "This would have been a strong source of wind power for California, which needs more renewable energy, but the right thing to do is abandon this project."
Pattern's decision follows a similar move by Xcel in April to cancel a Minneapolis project following concerns about the impact on local wildlife.
Xcel was set to complete the Merricourt wind project, which is located in the McIntosh and Dickey in the south of the state, at end of the year.
However, according to reports, the US Fish and Wildlife service (FWS) had informed Xcel that a number of bird species were at risk from the project.
