Joint effort aims to get rid of roosting vultures
In a joint effort, CPS Energy is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Randolph to get vultures off the transmission towers near the installation’s approach and departure flight corridors.
Vultures roosting on utility towers near the corridors have created a risk for aircraft arrivals and departures. At the recommendation of the USDA, CPS Energy placed effigies on the towers this week to discourage roosting and reduce the risk of injuries to pilots, hazards to the community and damages to aircraft. The effigies are an artificial likeness of the bird hung in an unnatural position.
“Reducing the number of large birds that roost on the towers directly under our flight path will increase our margin of safety for the 212,000 annual flight operations at JBSA-Randolph as well as the surrounding communities,” said Col. Jodi Perkins, 12th Flying Training Wing (FTW) vice commander. “We were able to use a creative partnership between Joint Base San Antonio and CPS Energy to identify and take action on issues of shared interests.”
The 12 FTW has more aircraft taking off and landing than any other airfield in the Air Force. Bird strikes have been known to cause injury to pilots, damage to military aircraft and, in some cases, have caused major accidents. In an effort to reduce the hazard, the 12 FTW has developed a robust bird hazard reduction program detailed in a video on its Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1DZOtGT.
“Research shows the effigies can help disperse the birds. So, we’re working with our partners for the most effective solution that will lower the risk of a military aviation incident while managing a species that’s part of our environment,” said Kim Stoker, CPS Energy’s director of Environmental Planning and Compliance.
More information about vultures and efforts to reduce damages caused by the migratory birds is available through the USDA.
CPS Energy is the nation’s largest municipally owned natural gas and electric company, providing service to 772,000 electric and 337,000 natural gas customers in the Greater San Antonio area. With our AA+ credit rating, one of the best in the industry, we offer best in class reliability and the lowest rates among the top 10 largest U.S. cities. We recognize our role as a community partner and are continuously focused on job creation, economic development and educational investment. Powered by our people, our investment in the community is demonstrated through our employees’ generosity in giving $1 million to United Way. We are also committed to investing in clean energy. CPS Energy is the number one wind energy buyer among the nation’s municipally owned utilities and number one in Texas for solar generation. For more information, visit newsroomp.cpsenergy.com.
