Acciona Energy Introduces U.S. and Canada Avian and Bat Protection Plan

Acciona Energy announced today the formalization of its U.S. and Canada Avian and Bat Protection Plan. The company's internal plan sets guidelines that evaluate and address the impact that wind farm development has on wildlife and aims to help conserve the 1007 species of migratory birds currently protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The plan, two years in the making, outlines Acciona’s responsible development policies for avoiding and minimizing avian and bat mortality rates and aid in employing methods to reduce those rates while maintaining renewable energy production.

As wond power projects are built, Acciona Energy will abide by the commitments outlined in the plan, ensuring that the utmost level of responsibility to the environment is being met. Before construction on a wind turbines project even begins, Acciona Energy will carefully evaluate development sites to ensure that construction will not affect existing wildlife populations.

The company will also conduct post-construction monitoring studies to make certain that existing projects are not interfering with wildlife in the area.

'At Acciona Energy, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest level of environmental responsibility while increasing renewable energy production,' said Blayne Gunderman, Eastern U.S. Environmental Manager of ACCIONA Energy North America.

Added Kevin Martin, Acciona’s Western U.S. Environmental Manager: 'By following the guidelines outlined in the plan, we can enforce our corporate commitment to execute all of our projects with an emphasis on environmental accountability and responsible development.”

The Acciona Energy U.S. and Canada Avian and Bat Protection Plan will help guide management decisions that extend beyond development and into all phases of construction, operations, re-powering, and decommissioning. Additionally, this living document will establish a baseline for identifying the need for future actions that may be required to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to avian and bat species.

“The proper location of a wind energy facility is critical to help protect wildlife and their habitats,” said Paul Schmidt, Assistant Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Migratory Bird Programs. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service applauds Acciona Energy for seeking to minimize impacts to birds, bats and other wildlife.”

Though formal wind turbines guidelines have yet to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior or by the Canadian Minister of Environment and Minister of Natural Resources, Acciona Energy has enforced the proposed guidelines internally, touting their value and extreme importance to the future of wildlife and the renewable energy industry.

As science, policy, technology, and corporate philosophy reach higher and more informed levels or standards, this plan will be updated accordingly to ensure that the newest data, technology and management methods are being utilized by the company.

Acciona Energyis a globalclean-tech operatorbacked by more than 20 years of experience and a leading presence in seven renewables technologies. It has installed more than 9,000 MW of electricity generation in 14 countries: 7,337 MW are proprietary. The Company has 213 wind farms (6,230 MW); 80 hydroelectric power stations (911 MW);a number of solar thermal (oncentrating Solar Power ) and photovoltaic plants that rank among the biggest in the world, and biomass-fired power plants.

Acciona Energy manufactures wind turbine generators and has biodiesel and bioethanol production units. The Company, which develops proprietary projects as well as projects for clients, is to be found across the entire value chain, produces and markets renewables-based energy and delivers a broad range of services for clients within this sector, as part of a staunch commitment to innovation.

Acciona Energy is part of the Acciona Group, one of Spain’s leading business corporations. Acciona operates in infrastructure, energy, water treatment and services in more than thirty countries on the five continents. Its corporate motto, “Pioneers in Sustainable Development”, reflects the Company’s commitment to contributing to economic growth, social progress and environmental balance. Acciona is sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and posted revenues of more than €6.5 billion in 2009. The Company has a workforce of more than 30,000 and is quoted on the IBEX 35 blue chip index (ANA.MC).

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