Although wind power is generally considered a form of "green energy" due to the lack of fossil fuels, emissions, and water use, turbines have been documented to kill significant numbers of bats and migratory birds at some locations. The Ohio Ecological Services Field Office is working to proactively protect migratory birds, bats, and their habitats from any potential adverse effects of wind power development in a variety of ways.

In concert with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, we recommend pre- and post-construction wildlife monitoring at proposed wind power sites throughout the state, based on habitat within the project area and known occurrences of protected species. For more information check the Service's National Interim Guidance on Avoiding and Minimizing Wildlife Impacts from Wind Turbines and Ohio Department of Natural Resources' On-Shore Bird and Bat Pre- and Post-Construction Monitoring Protocol for Commercial Wind Energy Facilities in Ohio. We recommend that commercial wind generators contact us early in the planning process so that wildlife surveys can be completed well before an application is made to the Ohio Power Siting Board for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need, which is required for all wind power projects in Ohio generating more than 5 MW of energy.

At a regional level, the Service participates in the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative and provides mapping for some resources of concern throughout the Great Lakes region. Through coordination with a wide range of public and private stakeholders, we work to address broad-ranging wildlife and wind power issues on a state-wide scale.

View the Ohio wind map.