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The Trade-Off between Wildlife Conservation and Renewable Energy: Evidence from Eagles and Wind Turbines

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  • Brock O’Brien
  • Nick Hagerty

Abstract

This article estimates the effect of wildlife protection on wind energy development in the central United States. Federal enforcement of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act increased after a court decision in 2013, raising potential liability for wind developers in regions where eagles are common. We find that counties where eagles are common slowed their wind energy development after 2013 relative to counties with fewer eagles. The costs of forgone wind energy appear considerably greater than the quantifiable benefits from avoided eagle fatalities, suggesting that current policy overvalues wildlife protection relative to green energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Brock O’Brien & Nick Hagerty, 2025. "The Trade-Off between Wildlife Conservation and Renewable Energy: Evidence from Eagles and Wind Turbines," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 101(3), pages 285-303.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:landec:v:101:y:2025:i:3:p:285-303
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/le.101.3.092023-0091R
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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