Watch CBS News

Md. Expert Casts Doubt On Wind Foes' Bat Claims

SWANTON, Md. (AP) -- A state Department of Natural Resources biologist is casting doubt on a claim that substantial numbers of federally endangered bats are threatened by a Constellation Energy wind farm in western Maryland.

Opponents are suing to block the startup of what would be Maryland's first industrial wind-power project.

They claim in a federal lawsuit that a "robust population" of Indiana bats hibernates in a cave about 13 miles from the 28-turbine project.

But biologist Dan Feller told the Cumberland Times-News Monday there has been no substantiated record of Indiana bats in that cave or in another, about 10 miles away, for a long time.

He says most of the hibernating bats are believed to be little brown bats.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.