A federal court recently reinjected a major dose of uncertainty into an already complex topic for electric cooperatives: How will accidental bird deaths from power lines or other energy facilities be treated under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act?

The law was enacted in 1918 to protect species from overhunting and poaching but subsequently reinterpreted to cover other activities. Since the 1970s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has used its prosecutorial discretion to hold utilities criminally liable for accidental migratory bird deaths from contact with operating power lines. Yet district court interpretations have been inconsistent.

“Through the years, some courts have ruled that incidental take is prohibited, some courts say it is not prohibited, and others say nothing about the issue,” said Janelle Lemen, NRECA regulatory issues director. “We have been fighting for clarification and consistent interpretation for years.”

In 2017, the Department of the Interior took an important step and issued a legal opinion saying the law does not actually apply to such accidental deaths or “incidental takes.” Then on Aug. 11, a judge for the U.S. District Court in Southern New York tossed out the department’s opinion as “contrary to the plain meaning of the MBTA” and the historic enforcement of the law.

“This court decision creates a lot of questions for how electric co-ops ensure compliance with the MBTA while fully implementing measures that are proven to reduce impacts to migratory birds,” Lemen said.

The Trump administration has 60 days to decide whether to appeal the court’s decision.

Before the judge’s ruling, the Fish and Wildlife Service was in the final stages of a rulemaking to codify the department’s new interpretation, which says the MBTA is only meant to penalize activities that are purposeful acts.

NRECA had come out in support of the Interior Department’s interpretation, saying it clarifies the Fish and Wildlife Service’s responsibilities, provides legal certainty and ensures consistent implementation. The association is urging electric co-ops to continue their efforts to protect birds while enhancing system reliability despite the legal uncertainty.

It remains unclear how the court’s decision will affect the timing of the agency’s rulemaking. But once finalized, the rule is expected to face legal challenges. There are also efforts in Congress to clarify that the law prohibits incidental take.

“Electric co-ops have a long-standing history of addressing this issue, and we encourage their continuation of best practices to address related reliability concerns and demonstrate a positive compliance footing as this new wrinkle of uncertainty unfolds,” said Lemen.

Established co-op methods for mitigating impacts to birds while maintaining reliability include:

• Incorporating bird-friendly power line designs and retrofits to reduce electrocutions.

• Installing power line marking devices to reduce bird collisions.

• Developing and implementing Avian Protection Plans.