Judith Gap Wind Farm taking toll on bats, birds

Associated Press - July 20, 2008 1:04 PM ET GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A study shows an estimated 1,200 bats, most of them probably migrating through Montana, were killed by wind turbines at the Judith Gap Wind Farm between July 2006 and May 2007. The high number surprised Invenergy, which owns the farm, as well as government and private wildlife experts. Each of the 90 turbines is 262-feet tall with blades that sweep 253 feet in diameter. The study by TRC Solutions of Laramie, Wyo., estimates that 406 birds were killed during the study period. Invenergy's director of wind-asset management, Frank Pizzileo, says the number of bats killed was higher than the environmental assessment completed before construction projected. He says the company is working with the technical advisory committee, state and federal wildlife regulators... [read full story]