Hawaii wind farm allowed to increase incidental bat deaths

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii state and federal agencies have approved an energy company's request to increase incidental bat deaths at its Maui wind farm.

The Maui News reported Friday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have allowed Auwahi Wind Energy to increase the number of hoary bat deaths by 2037 to 140, up from the 21 bats in its original application.

Officials say Auwahi applied for a federal permit, which was prepared and signed Sept. 3, but decisions must be published in the Federal Register to be made final.

Experts say there is not enough information to determine the impact wind farms have on bat populations.

Environmental groups say companies can change operations to have little to no effect on bats.

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Information from: The Maui News, http://www.mauinews.com