Once Kern River proceeded with its major pipeline expansion, we committed to completing the project in an environmentally responsible manner. That meant ensuring the habitat of the threatened desert tortoise was protected, including the delicate desert grasses they rely on to survive. Because regeneration of these plants could require 50 years or more, a large-scale transplant effort was selected to be the best option for restoring the area impacted by the pipeline. During a four-month period, two environmental contractors, and nearly 100 workers and inspectors flagged and transplanted the unique desert vegetation prior to pipeline construction.

As part of AltaLink’s avian protection plan, environment and field teams work together to reduce the impact transmission facilities can have on birds. This includes relocating nests, installing nesting platforms so birds have a safe place to land and preventing collisions by installing bird markers to make power lines more visible to birds in flight. With the installation of bird markers, bird collisions with transmission facilities have been reduced between 60 and 90%.

When construction was required at one of its substations, Northern Powergrid discovered the area was home to a large colony of bats. The company solicited the assistance of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to construct bat houses in the surrounding trees. With these new homes in place, construction could continue without impacting the colony.

Northern Natural Gas partnered with Bat Conservation International to construct and install bat houses at facilities near Redfield, Iowa, and in Ottawa County, Kansas. The company continues to monitor the house locations and surrounding habitat. Through this research, Bat Conservation International can maintain the bat population and their significant benefits to agriculture.

To reduce environmental impacts, PacifiCorp has introduced many programs addressing wildlife protection, wetlands preservation, reducing hydroelectric facilities' impact on fish, plant relicensing, and bird interactions with power lines and wind turbines. The company also uses award-winning land reclamation techniques to restore habitat after completing mining operations.

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