PacifiCorp pleads guilty, will pay $2.5M for eagle and other bird deaths at Wyoming wind farms

A utility will pay $2.5 million in fines, restitution and community service after pleading guilty to killing golden eagles and other birds at two Wyoming wind farms.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations stem from the deaths of 38 golden eagles and 336 other protected birds at PacifiCorp's Seven Mile Hill and Glenrock/Rolling Hills wind farms in east-central Wyoming.

The company entered the plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Wyoming.

The Justice Department and Portland, Oregon-based PacifiCorp announced the agreement Dec. 19. Under the deal, the company agreed to pay fines as well as restitution and community service with a total value of $2.5 million.

PacifiCorp serves 1.8 million customers in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Company officials say they're working to protect migratory birds.