BALTIMORE (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing limits on a western Maryland wind energy project to reduce potential fatalities of endangered bats.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the draft plan would require Chicago-based Exelon Corp. to slow down its turbines from mid-July to mid-October to reduce the number of Indiana bats that might be harmed by the spinning blades.
Exelon also would have to protect one or more bat caves in other states.
The plan would apply to the 28-turbine Criterion project on Backbone Mountain in Garrett County. It began operating in late 2010.
Exelon says it’s already begun changing turbine operations. It says it plans to spend at least $170,000 to protect bat habitat.
The plan is open for public comment through Sept. 28.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
