Greenbrier County wind farm seeks permit for some bat kills - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Greenbrier County wind farm seeks permit for some bat kills

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -

A southern West Virginia wind farm wants the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue a permit allowing the "incidental take," or killing, of endangered bats that might fly into its turbine blades.

Beech Ridge Energy is seeking a 25-year permit for its operation in Greenbrier and Nicholas counties.

The project's existing 67 turbines and another 33 that are planned could harm Virginia big-eared and Indiana bats.

The service is taking public comment through Oct. 23 on the company's proposed habitat conservation plan, the federal environmental impact statement and an assessment of the company's plan and alternatives.

The permit application is the third of its kind in the nation.

It would allow bats to be killed, as long as Beech Ridge takes "reasonable and practical measures" to avoid harming them.

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