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Wind energy is classified according to wind power classes, which are based on typical wind speeds. These classes range from less than 4 to greater than 10. Areas with annual average wind speeds around 6.5 m/s and greater at 80 m height are generally considered suitable for utility -scale wind develop- ment (DOE 2010a). Although there are clearly opportunities for significant wind development in North Carolina, as of June 2010 wind power install- ments have not been installed (Figure 4 -7, DOE 2010b). However, in 2009, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill signed an agreement with Duke Energy to construct up to three demonstra- tion wind turbines in Pamlico Sound (Duke Ener- gy 2010). Under this agreement Duke Energy will supply and install the wind turbines while the University will conduct research on electricity gener- ation from offshore wind farms in North Carolina. Installation of these turbines is expected to begin in summer 2010. The Department of Energy's Wind Program and NREL recently completed a wind resource map for North Carolina (Figure 4 -8). This new map shows wind speed estimates at 80 meters above the ground and identifies the location of resources that could be used for utility -scale wind development. Figure 4 -8 clearly demonstrates that North Carolina has both offshore and ridgeline wind resources for utility -scale wind production across the state. The best area for wind energy production is along the Atlantic coast and barrier islands followed by the higher ridge crests in western North Carolina. Although land -based wind energy offers a promising alternative to carbon - emitting fossil fuels, wind ener- gy facilities can negatively impact wildlife and habi- tat (USFWS 2003). Birds, especially raptors (Hunt 2002), and bats are particularly sensitive to mortality from the rotor blades, and wind farms may impact bird movements, breeding, and habitat use (Johnson et al. 2002, USFWS 2003). Although wind energy is not an entirely new phenomenon, research on the impacts of turbines on wildlife is relatively recent. Significant concerns about bird mortality were trig- gered by research from the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in California, where Orloff and Flan- nery (1992) estimated that several hundred raptors were killed each year due to turbine collisions, wire strikes, and electrocutions (USFWS 2003). More recent research has suggested that mortality estimates from this study were statistically biased (Hunt 2002), but the Altamont turbines are still estimated to kill 40 -60 subadult and adult golden eagles each year, as well as several hundred red - tailed hawks and Ameri- can kestrels (USFWS 2003). Erickson et al. (2001) reviewed bird collision reports from 31 studies and showed that 78% of carcasses found at utility -scale wind energy facilities outside of California were songbirds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 United States Code 703 -712) (in Kunz et al. 2007). However, other studies have demonstrated that bird - turbine collisions are much less frequent than collisions with automobiles, buildings and windows, or communication towers (Berg 1996). Indeed, the National Audubon Society strongly supports wind power as a clean alternative energy source that reduces the threat of global warming, as long as proper siting, operation, and mitigation are employed to minimize the impact on birds and other wildlife (Audubon 2010). Recent research on the impact of terrestrial wind energy development on bats suggests that certain species may be disproportionately susceptible to mortality from turbines. A recent review by Arnett et al. (2008) found five key patterns in bat fatalities at wind turbines in the United States: (1) Fatali- ties were heavily skewed toward migratory bats and were dominated by tree - roosting lasiurine species in most studies; (2) Studies consistently reported peak of turbine collision fatality in midsummer through fall; (3) Fatalities were not concentrated at individ-