Trump Cracks Down on Bird Deaths, but Only From Wind Turbines
Trump Cracks Down on Bird Deaths, but Only From Wind Turbines
Critics accused the administration of a double standard, trying to stop wind projects because of potential bald eagle deaths while easing rules for oil and gas companies.
Read the full article on NY Times World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article suggests a double standard in the Trump administration's approach to bird deaths, focusing on wind turbines while easing regulations for oil and gas. While Trump's criticism of wind power and actions against renewable energy are documented, the claim of a deliberate double standard specifically regarding bird deaths requires further verification and context. The article exhibits moderate bias by selectively highlighting actions that support the narrative of Trump targeting renewable energy.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Trump administration is cracking down on bird deaths specifically from wind turbines.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms the Trump administration has escalated attacks on wind and solar power.
- Verification Source #2: Reports Trump has criticized wind power, saying it 'kills all your birds'.
- Verification Source #3: States Trump has insisted offshore wind farms are killing endangered whales and turbines are killing birds.
- Verification Source #4: Confirms Trump's concern about bird deaths from windmills, but notes windmills are not the main culprit.
- Verification Source #5: Reports Trump sees no advantage in pursuing renewable energy.
- Assessment: Supported. Trump has publicly criticized wind power and its impact on birds, and his administration has taken actions against renewable energy projects.
- Claim: The administration is easing rules for oil and gas companies while cracking down on wind projects due to bird deaths, suggesting a double standard.
- Verification Source #5: Suggests Trump's actions benefit big oil by hindering renewable energy development.
- Assessment: Potentially true, but requires more specific evidence. While sources confirm Trump's actions against wind energy and potential benefits for oil and gas, direct evidence linking the easing of rules for oil and gas *specifically* to bird deaths, creating a double standard, is not explicitly provided in the given sources. This claim is unverified based on the provided sources.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 2: 'Donald Trump bashed renewable energy sources Monday night, saying solar power doesn't work well and wind turbines kill birds.'
- Source 3: 'Mr. Trump has insisted that offshore wind farms are killing endangered whales in the Atlantic...'
- Source 5: '“Renewables largely just get in the way of these goals, the president sees no advantage in pursuing them,” said Rabe. “The rhetoric around wind…'