RE: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds

I agree with the post below, but have a few things to add:

• I don't know if they are, but Xcel should involve a biologist, or habitat conservationist, to help identify how to avoid important bird areas, migration staging areas, sources of water, etc.
• I don't believe added cost should be looked at independently, it should also consider the impacts to birds and other wildlife, and Xcel should do what they can to avoid impacts
• Xcel should put bird diverters on the wires, to help minimize collision
• Working together is a great idea, if biologists, land conservationists and others are included in the discussions, and Xcel is open to finding slightly different routes
• Just FYI,  up to a billion birds are killed each year by colliding with windows, but as far as I know, no one has compiled the cumulative impacts on birds and other animals, i.e., from collision with transmission lines, concentrated solar power, wind turbines, cats, cars, pollutants, etc.  We should be concerned, and insert ourselves into Xcel's planning.

Just my opinion

 

Brenda Beatty

Sedalia, CO

 

From: cobirds@googlegroups.com <cobirds@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Rick Reeser
Sent: Thursday, December 9, 2021 9:09 AM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds

 

Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power network, I have several responses:

1.       You can't have your cake and eat it, too. You can't be a consumer of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil fuels for cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply chain. The electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like oil drilling comes with some negatives.

2.        If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product.  Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion project. Do we want it more than that?

3.       Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit for.  It's like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small.

4.       The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not known for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for getting the electricity we need.  California has had numerous fires and power outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before having the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started by aging electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily when I was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the electrical infrastructure to move forward to prevent these types of things from happening.

5.       Will these power stations and lines actually kill lots of birds or make them move permanently far away.  I doubt it. Our cars kill lots of birds, but we don't propose eliminating cars because of that- we drive with greater caution instead.

 

We need to work with Xcel on this project to minimize the harm to the habitat, not work against them. Offering to work with someone is far more effective than working against them.

Rick Reeser

Milliken

 

On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11:00:55 AM UTC-7 SeEtta wrote:

I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new substations and  giant transmission lines that are proposed to cut through eastern Colorado including in or near some very important bird habitat including Chico Basin. Are any conservation groups or birding groups that concern themselves with protecting vital bird habitat monitoring this?  As the conservation chair for Arkansas  Valley Audubon Society I am now going to try to send comments on their incursions into areas that we service buy there is a lot of Eastern Colorado that will is north of our area that will be impacted by that this major expansion by Excel. Given all the negative impacts on the birds we all love to watch I hope many will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we still have.   Here is the maps and basic info I have found: https://www.coloradospowerpathway.com/project-description/

 

SeEtta Moss 

Canon City 

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