DURHAM, North Carolina - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued its final sale notice to lease the Wilmington East Wind Energy Area on Friday, March 25. The following is a statement from Greg Andeck, director of strategy and government relations at Audubon North Carolina.

“We’re encouraged to see this process move forward, and that wildlife monitoring is included as a requirement in the leases. By growing the industry responsibly, we can protect the surrounding ecosystem and cut carbon emissions for birds and people."

"BOEM’s requirement that future projects include Motus wildlife tracking systems will fill important data gaps on bird and bat movements and ultimately help inform where turbines are built and how they are operated. We look forward to working with BOEM and the eventual wind developers to ensure that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and environmental and wildlife stakeholders have an ongoing seat at the table to advise on how projects are designed and operated.”

Media Contact: Ben Graham, ben.graham@audubon.org

About Audubon North Carolina

Audubon North Carolina, a state program of the National Audubon Society, has offices in Durham, Boone, Corolla, and Wilmington. Learn more at www.nc.audubon.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.​ The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.