Feds get defensive in allowing wind turbines to kill more eagles

The Obama administration published new rules Friday that will allow wind turbines to kill bald eagles for 30-year periods as long as the owners agree to increase conservation measures such as taking steps to avoid unnecessary electrocutions of the national bird.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service got a little defensive in issuing the final regulations on eagle “take permits,” or licenses to kill, saying the Obama administration’s focus is to protect eagles, not to allow the wind industry to get away with unrestricted killings, according to the final rule published in Friday’s Federal Register.