Wind Trial Closing Arguments Set for Thursday Morning

Last week, in Animal Welfare Institute v. Beech Ridge Energy, the federal district court in Greenbelt, Maryland held an expedited trial over claims that the Beech Ridge wind project’s construction and operation will “take” endangered Indiana bats in violation of the Endangered Species Act, and hence requires an “incidental take permit” from the Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Court heard testimony from experts on both sides, and the trial will conclude on Thursday, October 29 with expert testimony from Defendants’ last witness followed by both parties’ closing arguments.  The trial will resume at 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning in courtroom 2C of the federal courthouse, located at 6500 Cherrywood Lane in Greenbelt, Maryland.  The trial is open to the public.